Description:

Central Asia, modern day Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan, Bactria (Bactria Margiana/BMAC), ca. 3rd to 2nd millennium BCE. A trio of pretty 20 karat gold appliques, each in the shape of a ziggurat, hammered or stamped to have three-dimensional steps, with three tiny perforated holes, one at each corner, for attachment. Size of one: 0.35" W x 0.5" H (0.9 cm x 1.3 cm); total weight of all three: 0.8 grams

Ancient Bactria had a harsh landscape of deserts, high mountains, and very few fertile areas, but sat along the crossroads of the Silk Road, between the Hindu Kush and the Oxus River. Its culture, known to us largely through incredibly rich burials and hoards like the famous Oxus Treasure, was composed of a class of nomadic horse lords (some of whom were women, whose burials, equal in richness and weaponry to the men's, have been well documented) who had the wealth to purchase and be buried with incredibly fine objects of gold, silver, bronze, iron, and stone. They in turn supported the artisans who created these items.

Provenance: private New York, USA collection

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#136884

  • Condition: All three are in excellent condition.

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July 19, 2018 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 $2,000
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000