Description:

Central Asia or Asia Minor, probably Bactrian, ca. 2nd millennium BCE. A delicate, partially translucent alabaster goblet, standing on a round foot with a narrow leg. The artist has taken advantage of the natural lines of the alabaster to highlight and accentuate a curved, marbled exterior with varied bands of creamy white, beige, and earthier brown. Size: 3.4" W x 2.7" H (8.6 cm x 6.9 cm)

Alabaster, a light-colored, calcareous stone from the Iranian Plateau, has strong connections in ancient central and western Asia to religion and specifically the gods. For example, at Kultepe-Kanes, a huge burial mound from this period, there were many disc-shaped alabaster idols, naked alabaster goddesses, and lion figures. We also know that alabaster was a precious material, widely traded in the region from the 4th millennium BCE onward. A dish like this one was made to be placed into a tomb to hold offerings.

Provenance: private S.H. collection, Santa Clara, California, USA

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#126273

  • Condition: Rim has one large chip, with another repaired. Accession marks and some adhesive used to attach it to a stand on the base.

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August 31, 2017 7:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
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