Description:

Central Asia, Pakistan/Afghanistan, Mehrgarh period (pre-Indus Valley civilization), ca. 2800 to 2600 BCE. A pair of characteristically bird-faced Indus Valley female figurines, each positioned in a crouching pose with her hands extended outward as if she once held something in them. Incised lines give each figure a multi-stranded necklace or pectoral, and each has either a headdress or a coiffure delineated with black pigment. One also has a pale yellow-orange pigment on her headdress and necklace. Bird-faced figurines like these are found throughout the region, although their meaning is unclear. Most female figures found by largely male archaeologists of the late nineteenth and early twentieth century were immediately given the title "fertility idol," but more recent interpretations suggest that these figures probably had much more nuanced and varied symbolism, perhaps representing goddesses, matriarchs, or worshippers. Size of largest: 1.45" W x 4.8" H (3.7 cm x 12.2 cm); 4.95" H (12.6 cm) on included custom stand.

Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection

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 and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#137001

  • Condition: Both have been repaired and restored at the legs. This is well done and difficult to discern. Otherwise in lovely condition with light deposits and some remaining pigment.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

Shipping

Auction House will ship, at Buyer's expense

August 6, 2019 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 24.5% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$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