Ancient Central Asia, Indus Valley, Mehrgarh, ca. 3500 to 2800 BCE. A hand-built pottery seated female "Venus" figure with a slender waist above ample hips and extended legs, a heart-shaped torso with voluptuous breasts below a broad collar, and visage presenting characteristically pierce circular eyes, a prominent, beak-like nose, no mouth, and a dramatic headdress or coiffure with twin spiraled conical forms flanking her face. Figurines like this are found throughout the region, although their meaning is unclear. Most female figures found by largely male archaeologists of the late 19th and early 20th century CE were immediately given the title of "fertility idol," but more recent interpretations suggest that these figures probably had much more nuanced and varied symbolism - perhaps representing goddesses, matriarchs, or worshippers. Size: 1.15" W x 3.5" H (2.9 cm x 8.9 cm)

Provenance: private Healy collection, Studio City, California, USA, acquired in July 2022; ex-Artemis Gallery; ex-East Coast collection, New York Gallery, New York City, New York, USA, acquired before 2010

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#178452

Part of headdress is repaired. Otherwise in excellent condition with great preservation of form and light deposits.