Huge Ancient Bactrian Stone Idol / Ritual Object
Ancient Central Asia, modern day Pakistan / Afghanistan, Bactria, late 2nd to early 1st millennium BCE. A beautiful idol or ritual object of a sizable form, hand-carved from mottled beige-hued stone with white, russet, grey, and black inclusions. The large, lozenge-shaped body has a gently carinated midsection, tapered ends, and flat faces with evidence of the original drilling marks on one. Stone idols like this one are known in a variety of forms; however, their true meaning is unknown because there are no surviving written records that explicate how they were used. Were they used as objects of worship, commerce, torture, or everyday use? Whatever the case, this is a wonderful example from early Bactria! Size: 12.375" L x 6.8" Diameter (31.4 cm x 17.3 cm).
A stylistically-similar example, of a slightly larger size and carved from dark-brown stone, hammered for $11,250 at Christie's, New York "Antiquities" auction (sale 2007, June 4, 2008, lot 70): https://www.christies.com/lotfinder/ancient-art-antiquities/a-bactrian-stone-ritual-object-circa-late-5078805-details.aspx?from=searchresults&intObjectID=5078805&sid=b8d2050d-d305-449d-8806-c6ff70ff90fa
Provenance: The Dere Family Collection, New York, USA, assembled 1970's-2000's; ex-Khan Family Collection, New Jersey, USA, acquired in 1980's
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
#148367
Condition Report: Minor chips and abrasions to flat ends and body, with light encrustations in some areas, otherwise intact and excellent. Light earthen deposits throughout.
View it on
Estimate
Time, Location
Auction House
Ancient Central Asia, modern day Pakistan / Afghanistan, Bactria, late 2nd to early 1st millennium BCE. A beautiful idol or ritual object of a sizable form, hand-carved from mottled beige-hued stone with white, russet, grey, and black inclusions. The large, lozenge-shaped body has a gently carinated midsection, tapered ends, and flat faces with evidence of the original drilling marks on one. Stone idols like this one are known in a variety of forms; however, their true meaning is unknown because there are no surviving written records that explicate how they were used. Were they used as objects of worship, commerce, torture, or everyday use? Whatever the case, this is a wonderful example from early Bactria! Size: 12.375" L x 6.8" Diameter (31.4 cm x 17.3 cm).
A stylistically-similar example, of a slightly larger size and carved from dark-brown stone, hammered for $11,250 at Christie's, New York "Antiquities" auction (sale 2007, June 4, 2008, lot 70): https://www.christies.com/lotfinder/ancient-art-antiquities/a-bactrian-stone-ritual-object-circa-late-5078805-details.aspx?from=searchresults&intObjectID=5078805&sid=b8d2050d-d305-449d-8806-c6ff70ff90fa
Provenance: The Dere Family Collection, New York, USA, assembled 1970's-2000's; ex-Khan Family Collection, New Jersey, USA, acquired in 1980's
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
#148367
Condition Report: Minor chips and abrasions to flat ends and body, with light encrustations in some areas, otherwise intact and excellent. Light earthen deposits throughout.
Estimate
Time, Location
Auction House
