BACTRIA-MARGIAN CULTURE (BMAC or Oxus) (present-day Turkmenistan /

Descriptio Carved white calcite, chlorite, and steatite. Dimensions: 7.4 x 5.5 x 2.5 cm. Weight: 120 g. Exceptional composite female figure belonging to the Bactrian-Margian civilization, also known as the Oxus civilization, one of the most sophisticated cultures of Central Asia during the late 3rd and early 2nd millennia BC. The sculpture is made by combining different stone materials, a distinctive characteristic of this small and prestigious group of works: the head is carved from white calcite, while the body and headdress are made of chlorite or steatite. The figure represents a seated woman of high rank, traditionally identified as a princess, priestess, or female deity. The face displays the stylized features characteristic of these works, with large almond-shaped eyes, a prominent nose, and a serene expression that conveys authority and solemnity. The body is covered by a wide ceremonial mantle decorated with fine vertical incisions, reminiscent of the kaunakes, the famous sheepskin garment known in Mesopotamia and ancient Iran. These composite sculptures are among the most emblematic artistic expressions of the BMAC culture and are among the rarest and most coveted objects of Central Asian archaeological art. Their exact meaning remains a subject of debate, although archaeological finds in funerary contexts suggest a function related to worship, the representation of high-ranking individuals, or the religious sphere. Several studies have indicated that these figures convey a powerful sense of monumentality and authority despite their small size, becoming true icons of the Oxus civilization. The use of different colored stones to highlight the face in relation to the body reinforces their symbolic and ceremonial character. This particular figure belongs to the group of seated statuettes and has direct parallels with examples held in important international collections, including comparable models published in the Foroughi collection and currently housed in the Louvre Museum. The state of preservation is extraordinary, with the body, head, and headdress intact, displaying an attractive archaeological patina in shades of green and brown, ancient mineral deposits, and perfectly coherent surfaces between the different pieces that make up the sculpture. Provenance: acquired on the German art market, Munich, in 2016; German private collection formed between 2014 and 2016; formerly the D. Chiavarini collection, London, until 2014; London art market before 1990; former private collection in Mayfair, London, acquired before 1985; French private collection acquired in the 1970s; from an English family collection since the late 1960s. Lot in international storage (within the EU).Intra-community shipment: no import duties apply within the EU. An export permit from the country of origin may be required.

Stima:€1,500

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