Ancient Central Asia, Indus Valley, Mehrgarh period, ca. 3500 to 2800 BCE. A fabulous, hand-built pottery figure, likely a fertility goddess, depicted standing with a voluptuous, hourglass-shaped body. Enveloped in remains of a creamy beige slip, the ancient figure displays characteristic wide hips, straight legs, broad, square shoulders, slender arms that lay parallel to her body, and an avian-esque visage capped by a sizeable, flared crown. Her long hair falls onto her chest, framing her stylized countenance of huge, impressed, annular eyes, a petite nose, and no mouth, while a thick collar necklace sits just below. Size: 1.5" W x 4.3" H (3.8 cm x 10.9 cm); 4.5" H (11.4 cm) on included custom stand.

Figurines of women are perhaps the most plentiful of the figurines in the Indus Valley. The reason for this is unknown, but some researchers have proposed that women were particularly revered in that society, perhaps relating to their roles as mothers. Studies of burial sites at Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa have shown that a man was often buried with his wife's family. The female figurines are easily distinguished by a curving, pear-shaped body with large protruding breasts. The effect of these female figurines is two-fold: it emphasizes the beauty, and phallic/sexual nature of the female; but at the same time, cherishes the nurturing, motherly nature of the female. The figurines of the women tend to also be heavily ornamented.

This piece has been tested using thermoluminescence (TL) analysis and has been found to be ancient and of the period stated. A full printed and bound report is available for $50 to the buyer. Please contact us to request.

Provenance: East Coast collection, New York Gallery, New York City, New York, USA, acquired before 2010

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.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.

Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.

#168879

Losses to top of crown. Repair and restoration to head and neck. Expected nicks and abrasions throughout. Otherwise, excellent with nice earthen deposits. TL hole to verso of head, beneath crown.