[Hackers]

I think I have my hands on what is an authentic artifact, and I will be getting it authenticated in the near future. I'm hoping to reach out to a couple nearby, reputable museums.

The reason I believe it is authentic:
> bought through a reputable connection (tipped off about it before it went to auction)
> paperwork shows that it was passed down through a couple modern generations, recorded as having come from a burial site
> Not authenticated, justifying the lower price
> Same exact materials as known, authenticated pieces , including what looks like exact compositions of mica/clay mixtures
> Real darkening from what could be a firepit, or another make-shift kiln. Uneven heating / over-heated on bottom, not modern
> Same coloration as known pieces, with credible looking aging
> Same exact legs style as 1 known piece
> Stubbed tail on mine has a mark that appears like a longer tail snapped off during heating, or around that time (same signs of aging/wear, not a new break)



examples:














I think we may be sitting on what is a zoomorphic sculpture of a calf.
We cannot verify the exact date it was made. It does however match a lot of early styles, clay composition, and other indicators.

We're very excited to see if we can have it authenticated. As far as I know, if it is genuine, then we may be sitting on one of the only zoomorphic calves, mostly in full.

Our photos for comparison:















We believe it's unfortunately possible that someone modified the eyes here in more modern times, which would take away value. We're not sure yet:



My lighting is really rough, it appears more like this in color:

[Tyr]

Super awesome share and very jealous over here. Try checking wicking speed lines, try a drop test. To authenticate age, look for calcite encrustations, root marks, and weathered edges.

[Hackers]

Super awesome share and very jealous over here. Try checking wicking speed lines, try a drop test. To authenticate age, look for calcite encrustations, root marks, and weathered edges.

thanks, definitely some signs of weathering. i think there's some signs that breaks from a long time ago have been smoothed.

But I honestly can't say 100%. I don't know how to date these things, but the makeup of the clay is clearly pretty primitive. It's not clean clay by any means, and it does have small little indents where there could have been crystallization because I see the mini craters, similar to what a rock would look like with a garnet that has popped out. BUT, again, I really can't say - it could be natural from the heating process originally.

I found this which is interesting, there are a few specific indicators that maybe they were trying to make a sheep, rather than a cow/calf. Not 100% sure, whoever made it was by no means an accurate sculptor lol.

[Pimping]

Very cool how much do you think its worth if authentic
keep us updated when you get it authenticated! looking forward to it

[Hackers]

Very cool how much do you think its worth if authentic
keep us updated when you get it authenticated! looking forward to it

Not quite sure to be honest, don't want to put a number on it because I have done that in the past before authenticating something and it ended up being a really, really, really good forgery out of the 1990s. That was for a trading card though, not for this type of thing.

If it's from certain periods, then thousands, but I'm happy with a good story and desk ornament at $60 if it's not worth anything.

[onlineuser | D3RFER]

I have a huge interest in old artifacts.
Recently I’ve been looking into artifacts from Egypt. They are super cool.

What a cool find, please do tell me if it’s gets authenticated.

Sidenote: If someone told my younger self I would be interested in artifacts when getting older, I would have thought that someone was crazy. Funny what age does to you.

[Yin Yang]

That’s a pretty dope artifact

[Hackers]

That’s a pretty dope artifact

Really excited to find out more... I need to date it & figure out the most likely source.