**Originally Listed At $600**

Central Asia, Bactria (Bactria-Margiana/BMAC), ca. 2nd millennium BCE. A shallow dish carved from creamy alabaster in tones ranging from nearly white to pale orange, with a rounded body and projecting handle. Alabaster, a light-colored, calcareous stone from the Iranian Plateau, has strong connections in ancient western and central Asia to religion and specifically the gods. For example, in the site of Kultepe-Kanes, a huge burial mound, there were many disc-shaped alabaster idols, naked alabaster goddesses, and lion figures. We also know that alabaster was a precious material, widely traded in the region from the 4th millennium BCE onward. A dish like this one was made to be placed into a tomb to hold offerings. Size: 7.5" W x 2.05" H (19 cm x 5.2 cm)

Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection; ex-John Krysko collection, New York, USA, acquired in the 1980s

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#144113

End of handle is an ancient loss. Repaired from two pieces, with a loss from the rim. No restoration or new material. Light deposits on surface. Remaining portion of handle is smoothed, possibly from use.