Description:

Ancient Central Asia, Bactrian, ca. 2nd to early 1st millennium BCE. A fine pair of cast-bronze jars used to hold cosmetic make-up known as kohl. Each vessel rests atop a quartet of sinuous legs and has a compressed body, four spherical bells with petite rattle balls within, a tapered cylindrical neck, and a flared rim on top. Kohl vessels like these examples were typically accompanied by slender applicators that rested inside the neck as well as around the rim and doubled as stoppers so the contents were safely contained within. Layers of smooth patina in dark chocolate hues envelop both compositions. Size of largest: 3.75" W x 5.3" H (9.5 cm x 13.5 cm)

Provenance: private Orange County, California, USA collection, acquired before 2000

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#156609

  • Condition: One bell on smaller vessel missing rattle ball. Both vessels have minor abrasions and encrustations, otherwise intact and very good. Great patina throughout. Bells with rattle balls still create a jingling sound when jostled.

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July 30, 2020 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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