Central Asia or Asia Minor, Bactria, ca. 3rd to 2nd millennium BCE. A beautiful example of a pillar idol (sometimes called a column idol), hand-carved and smoothed from a mottled creamy pink and grey stone with light inclusions. The body of the idol is minimalistic and highly-abstract with an elongated hourglass form, and the lower end curves out gently to a wide, planar base. Both the upper and lower faces bear shallow, horizontal grooves across the center. Both intriguing and quixotic, this is a wonderful example of abstract anthropomorphic artistry from the ancient world. Size: 4.8" W x 11.05" H (12.2 cm x 28.1 cm)
Stone idols like this example are known in a variety of fascinating forms throughout the pre-literate ancient world. From the truly abstract kilia-type figures that are barely recognizable as human to the exaggerated feminine shapes of so-called "Venus" figures, people in the past, as today, had a clear desire to portray human forms and did not feel constrained by naturalism.
Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection; ex-Christie's New York, USA, December 9, 2008, Sale 2056, Lot 46; ex-Khan family collection, New Jersey, USA, 1990s
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#144147
Condition
A few small losses from peripheries, but overall in excellent condition with light deposits in the lower profile areas.