Antique Style Alabaster Vase

Large antique Bactrian-style alabaster vase

Wide-mouthed vase, carved from a block of beige alabaster with natural veins, featuring a rounded body, a slightly inward-turned neck, and a thick, flattened rim. The shape is low and massive, with a regular balance between the body and the neck. The surface is polished, without added decoration, which highlights the subtle nuances of the stone.

The vase is similar to objects of the Bactrian culture. Bactria corresponds to a historical region covering part of present-day Central Asia, including northern Afghanistan and southern Tajikistan. It was a crossroads of civilizations from the 3rd millennium BC, particularly during the period of the Oxus Civilization (or Bactro-Margian Archaeological Complex – BMAC). Known for its stone objects, vases, seals and figurines in chlorite or alabaster, Bactria developed a sober and utilitarian aesthetic, often associated with formal refinement and stable artisanal production.