Central Asia, Bactria-Margiana (BMAC) (Oxus Civilization), Bronze Age, ca. 2nd millennium BCE. A fascinating idol figure of a type found in the modern countries of Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, giving us a hint to the ancient culture that flourished there over three thousand years ago. A hand-carved anthropomorphic rock crystal head is attached to an elongated cuboid chlorite body. The body is incised with curved and triangular motifs, with the triangles colored with a reddish-yellow pigment made from arsenic and known as orpiment. These motifs are designed to look like a kaunakes, or tufted garment, with a rounded front neckline. This figure is probably meant to be female based on other known examples. Size: 1.3" W x 1.9" H (3.3 cm x 4.8 cm)

The kaunakes was originally a Sumerian garment whose style migrated along the Silk Road and became popular in Bactria. Composite statuettes like this one, with the head composed of a different material than the body, have been found in the graves of women. Do they represent the individual buried, or are they deities?

Provenance: private Southern California, USA collection

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#133854

Head has been reattached. Light encrustation on the lower profile areas of the head and body. With light scratching on both parts commensurate with age. Nice remaining pigment.