Central Asia, Bactria (Bactria-Margiana/BMAC), ca. 3rd to 2nd millennium BCE. A beautiful, near-translucent alabaster bowl, its body banded by sinuous curves of different cream-colored stone. The bowl tapers to a small, round base, and has a wide, flat rim around its top. Alabaster, a light-colored, calcareous stone quarried from the Iranian Plateau, had strong connections in the ancient world 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 vessel like this one was most likely made to be placed into a tomb to hold offerings. Size: 5.75" W x 3" H (14.6 cm x 7.6 cm)

Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection

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#137694

Repaired from two pieces. A few small chips from the rim. Some nice ancient deposits on surface.