A WESTERN CENTRAL ASIAN COMPOSITE STONE FEMALE FIGURE

CIRCA LATE 3RD-EARLY 2ND MILLENNIUM B.C.

Details

A WESTERN CENTRAL ASIAN COMPOSITE STONE FEMALE FIGURE
CIRCA LATE 3RD-EARLY 2ND MILLENNIUM B.C.
The body sculpted in reddish-gray steatite or chlorite, the separately-made head in white limestone, depicted seated with the lap extending forward, wearing a tufted sheepskin garment, the details incised, with high rounded shoulders, the now-missing arms originally inset on the lap, the head set within the concave shoulder cavity, the splaying neck framed by an incised collar, the head with large almond-shaped bulging eyes, a prominent nose, and smiling mouth, the top of the head perhaps once fitted with a separately-made turban
5 in. (12.7 cm.) high

Provenance

Anonymous sale; Christie's, London, 13 December 1995, lot 138.

Lot Essay

These enigmatic composite figures have traditionally been associated with ancient Afghanistan, but according to Muscarella (p. 368 in Aruz, ed., Art of the First Cities, The Third Millennium B.C. from the Mediterranean to the Indus) none have actually been found there. The first published examples were erroneously thought to come from Fars in southwestern Iran. Of the known excavated figures, eleven have been found in southeastern Turkmenistan, and two in Pakistan. Muscarella further points out that "attempts have been made to interpret these figures as deities 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 authority."

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