Description:

Ancient Central Asia or Asia Minor, Bactria, ca. 3rd to 2nd millennium BCE. A beautiful pillar idol of a highly-abstract form, hand-carved from creamy yellow and white variegated alabaster. The columnar body has a wide base which gradually tapers towards the discoid head, and both the top and bottom faces have a shallow-carved horizontal groove. Both intriguing and quixotic, this is a wonderful example of abstract anthropomorphic artistry from the ancient world! Size: 3.5" W x 7.875" H (8.9 cm x 20 cm).

Stone idols like this example are known in a variety of fascinating forms throughout the pre-literate ancient world. From the truly abstract kilia-type figures that are barely recognizable as human to the exaggerated feminine shapes of so-called "Venus" figures, people in the past, as today, had a clear desire to portray human forms and did not feel constrained by naturalism.

Provenance: private New York, New York, USA collection; ex-private English collection

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#143335

  • Condition: Minor nicks and erosion to edges, with small chips to top and base ridges, and light pitting, otherwise intact and very good. Light earthen deposits throughout. Old inventory label on base.

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March 21, 2019 7:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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$0 $299 $25
$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