Bactrian Columns
Bactria-Margiana, late 3rd–early 2nd millennium B.C.
Price
2000 EUR/piece
Material
Green marble
Dimensions
Height: 23 cm
Height: 25.1 cm
Provenance
– Rosen Gallery, Tel Aviv, 1960
– K. M. Collection, London
– Lyon & Turnbull, Edinburgh, July 31, 2024, lots 107 and 108
A pair of column-shaped idols carved from green marble, resting on a flat base featuring a central groove. The sculptures feature an elegant cylindrical shape, with a curved, slightly constricted body and a shallow groove at the top. The marbled surface, with shades of green, evokes swirling clouds.
Bactrian columnar idols are ancient stone objects, cylindrical or conical in shape, associated with the Bactrian-Margian culture in Central Asia and dating from the 3rd and 2nd millennia BCE. They are generally considered to be religious or ritual objects, although their exact function remains a subject of debate.
These objects have been discovered in various archaeological contexts, including burials, sanctuaries, and hoards, suggesting their importance in religious or ritual practices. Although their precise function remains unknown, they are interpreted as religious objects, perhaps used in ceremonies or representing deities. Some hypotheses suggest that they may have served as weights or counterweights.
Period: Before 16th century
Style: Other Style
Condition: En l'etat
Material: Marble
Reference (ID): 1836796
Availability: In stock
