Description:

Ancient Central Asia, Bactrian culture, ca. 3rd to 2nd millennium BCE. A beautiful spherical mace head, carved by hand and polished from a mottled black stone with light-green and grey inclusions, with a narrow cylindrical socket hole through the center. The green colors of the stone probably reminded its maker of copper, which was also used to create mace heads in this region. Mace heads first appeared in the Near East around 8,000 BCE, alongside the development of agriculture; these were perhaps used to demonstrate authority as society became increasingly stratified. They radiated outward from the Near East, reaching Egypt, Europe, the steppes of central Asia, and even China. Size: 3.1" W x 2.8" H (7.9 cm x 7.1 cm)

Provenance: private southern California, USA collection, acquired before 2000

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#161749

  • Condition: Repaired from two large pieces with small chips, light adhesive residue, and some earthen stabilization material along break lines. Minor abrasions to body and around socket shaft. Light earthen deposits throughout.

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January 14, 2021 10:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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$300 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $20,000