Central Asia, Bactrian, ca. 2500 to 2250 BCE. A cylindrical vessel carved from grey-green chlorite schist and incised with three contiguous abstract renderings of stylized palm fronds. Polished stone cups and bowls are common grave goods from this time period, and they often were left in the tomb with a food offering; however, ancient Mesopotamian vessels with more elaborate decorative/iconographic programs like this example may have contained prized possessions or luxury products, and given their impressive aesthetic qualities as well as the fact that archaeologists have typically found them in temple, grave, and palace sites must have been regarded as precious objects themselves. Size: 2.5" in diameter x 1.625" H (6.4 cm x 4.1 cm)

Provenance: ex-Royal Athena Galleries, New York City, New York, USA; ex-J.M.E. collection, acquired in Paris, France, April 1993

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#123489

Expected surface wear to the interior. Minor scratches to exterior. Overall excellent.