EIGHTEEN CARVED GAME PIECES

POSSIBLY SAMARQAND, CENTRAL ASIA, CIRCA 10TH CENTURY

Details

EIGHTEEN CARVED GAME PIECES
POSSIBLY SAMARQAND, CENTRAL ASIA, CIRCA 10TH CENTURY
Each carved in steatite or grey schist with the same pyramidal shape, with deep incisions around the middle part, each decoration with motifs of concentric circles and other geometric patterns, two carved in a different stone, some chipped, otherwise in good condition
The largest 3 7/8in. (9.6cm.) high (18)

Lot Essay

Steatite was a material from which small vessels were carved in Samarqand - Afrasyab in the 10th century. An inkwell excavated in Samarqand shows an identical use of deep incisions and flanges to create an angular decoration and could possibly relate to the present group of carved game pieces (Terres secrètes de Samarcande, exhibition catalogue, Paris, 1992, cat.313, p.117).

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