Culture: ANCIENT PAKISTAN/TURKMENISTAN.



Date: LATE 3RD - EARLY 2ND MILLENIUM BC.



Material: CHLORITE FOR THE BODY, AND WHITE STONE FOR THE HEAD.



Provenance: EX: EARLY PRIVATE COLLECTION.



Condition: INTACT, VERY GOOD.



Measurements: 4.25 INCHES HIGH, (11 CMS), 2.5 INCHES WISDE AT BASE, (6.5 CMS).



Depicted seated with lap extended forward, and a V-shaped neckline, and wearing sheepskin tufted garment. A very rare type of figure.



This composite figure and other similar figures have been associated with ancient Afghanistan, but according to Muscarella, (p. 368 in Aruz, ed., Art of the First Cities, The Third Millenium BC from the Mediterranean to the Indus, none have actually been found in Afghanistan. The first published figures were eroneously thought to come from Fars in southwestern Iran. Of the known excavated figures, at least 38 examples are known to exist, 11 have been found ib southeastern Turkmenistan, and two in Pakistan. Muscarella further points out that :attempts have been made to interpret these figures as dieties or prominent humans, but insufficient information exists to permit a satisfactory conclusion, there is no doubt, however, that they are charged beings, physically massive, but projecting a calm power and autherity".



Cf: For a similarly related example, compare to lot 397, Chrsitie's New York Antiquities Auction, 10 December 2004, (estimated between $30,000 and $50,000, sold for $33,460). See also lot 313, Christie's New York Antiquities Auction, 12 June 2002, See also nos. 259a and 259b, p. 368, Art of the First Cities, the Third Millenium BC from the Mediterranean to the Indus, also compare to no. 26, ed, Glories of the Past, Ancient Art from the Shelby White and Leon Levy Collection..

Antiquities
Ancient Near East