Description:

Central Asia, Bactria, ca. 2500 to 2250 BCE. A beautiful cosmetic palette, hand-carved from a deep green-grey schist, with an ornately carved scene depicting a horse-riding warrior slaying a lion. The warrior wears a conical helmet with plaited hair draped down his neck and wields a lengthy spear. The lion is rearing on its hind legs and bears a grimacing countenance as the sharpened spear is driven through its chest. Above the head of the horse is a coiled snake with an incised diamond pattern on its body and an ovoid head with a singular, shallow-drilled eye. Polished stone vessels are common grave goods from this time period. Based on ancient evidence, we believe that the Bactrian concept of feminine beauty involved cosmetically enhanced dark eyes; a small dish like this probably held something used to create that effect. It may have once had an ivory lid. Custom museum-quality display stand included. Size: 5.125" Diameter x 4.875" H (13 cm x 12.4 cm); 6.125" H (15.6 cm) on included custom stand.

Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection

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#137792

  • Condition: Surface wear and abrasions commensurate with age and use, losses to large portion of rim, fading to some incised details, and light roughness across most surfaces. Nice earthen deposits throughout.

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August 30, 2018 7:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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