Central Asia, Bactrian, ca. 2nd to 1st millennium BCE. Skillfully carved from a single piece of lapis lazuli, a lion depicted in a prone position with his legs folded beneath him, an expressive visage presenting incised eyes, a pronounced snout, perky ears, and an open roaring mouth, a luxurious mane incised over the left and right sides of his head, falling from ears to paws, and a long tail swept across one of his hind legs. In addition to the sophisticated carving and always magical lion imagery, the lapis lazuli stone is inherently beautiful with cobalt blue coloring and flecks of gold-hued pyrite throughout creating a sparkling shimmer. Lapis lazuli, mined in Afghanistan, was a hugely prized material in the ancient world, inspiring many colors of glass and glaze in imitation. Carved from the actual stone, this piece would have been very valuable! Size: 2.25" L x 1.375" H (5.7 cm x 3.5 cm)

Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection

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#137311

Some normal surface wear and abrasions commensurate with age, but the form is still nicely defined.