Central Asia or Asia Minor, Bactria, ca. 3rd to 2nd millennium BCE. A beautiful example of a pillar idol, hand-carved and smoothed from creamy white and earthy red-banded marble. The body of the idol is highly abstract, with an elongated hourglass form. The lower end curves out gently to a slightly convex base with a shallow, horizontal groove down it. The upper end flares outward at a steeper angle and has a flat base, also with a shallow, horizontal groove through it. Size: 6" W x 13.5" H (15.2 cm x 34.3 cm)

Stone idols like this one are known in a variety of fascinating forms throughout the pre-literate ancient world. From the truly abstract kilia-type figures that are barely recognizable as human to the exaggerated feminine shapes of so-called "Venus" figures, people in the past, as today, had a clear desire to portray human forms and did not feel constrained by naturalism.

Provenance: private Omer Claiborne collection, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA, acquired over the last 40 years

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#129265

Losses around upper edge as shown. Smaller losses on lower edge.