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

Descriptio Carved white calcite, chlorite, and steatite. Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.4 x 4 cm. Weight: 267 g. Exceptional composite female figure belonging to the Bactrian-Margian civilization, also known as the Oxus civilization, one of the most developed 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 these celebrated Bactrian productions, with the head carved from finely polished white calcite and the body and headdress executed in chlorite or steatite. The figure represents a high-ranking woman, traditionally identified as a princess, priestess, or possibly a female deity. The face displays the stylized features characteristic of these sculptures, with large almond-shaped eyes, a prominent nose, and a serene and timeless expression that conveys a remarkable sense of authority and monumentality. The body adopts an oval and compact form, covered by an elaborate ceremonial mantle decorated with complex incised geometric motifs arranged in triangular and rhomboidal registers reminiscent of representations of the kaunakes, the traditional ceremonial garment known in Mesopotamia and ancient Iran. These engraved decorations lend extraordinary visual richness to the surface of the piece and constitute a particularly refined variant within the well-known Bactrian composite figures. The use of different colored stones to differentiate the face from the body follows an artistic tradition characteristic of the Oxus culture and has been interpreted by various specialists as a device intended to emphasize the symbolic or sacred nature of the figure. Although the exact meaning of these sculptures remains a subject of debate, most of the known examples come from funerary contexts, suggesting a function linked to worship, the representation of high-status figures, or the religious sphere. Some researchers believe they represent members of the ruling elite, while others identify them with female deities associated with fertility or protection. In any case, these figures constitute one of the most emblematic and recognizable artistic expressions of the Bactrian-Margian civilization. This particular example belongs to the group of seated figures and has close parallels with works held in important international collections, including examples published by Ligabue and Salvatori and comparable models in the Louvre Museum. Its state of preservation is excellent, with the body, head, and headdress intact, no visible restorations, and an attractive archaeological patina of green and brown tones.Ancient mineral deposits and a perfect coherence 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 D. Chiavarini collection, London, until 2014; London art market before 1990; former private collection in Mayfair, London, acquired before 1985; French private collection formed in the 1970s; from an English family collection since the late 1960s. Lot in international warehouse (within the EU). Intra-EU shipping: no import duties apply within the EU. An export permit from the country of origin may be required.

Estimate:£1,259.25

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