Central Asia, Bactria, ca. 2nd millennium BCE. An unusual oil lamp carved from a single piece of blue-grey schist, the form a triangle with its interior resembling a stylized flower or leaf. Each of the three sides is carved out to have a clover-shaped well, each of which is connected at its stem by a small round hole to allow oil to flow between them. The center has a deep, drilled hole. The exterior walls are lightly incised with geometric motifs. Polished stone vessels are common grave goods from this time period. Given their impressive aesthetic qualities as well as the fact that archaeologists have typically found them in temple, grave, and palace sites, vessels like this one must have been regarded as precious objects themselves. Size: 6.25" W x 1.4" H (15.9 cm x 3.6 cm)

Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection; ex-private Hirsch collection, Germany

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#141299

Surface wear commensurate to age, with scratching and signs of use. Form is beautifully preserved. Old collection label taped to underside.