Bidspirit auction | A LARGE BACTRIAN STYLE STONE

A LARGE BACTRIAN STYLE STONE FEMALE IDOL, POSSIBLY MID-2ND MILLENNIUM BC. - A striking composite female idol in the Bactrian / Central Asian tradition, attributed to the mid-2nd millennium BC, constructed from contrasting stones. The figure comprises a broad body carved from dark grey schist, surmounted by a separately fashioned head and neck of lighter brown stone. The highly stylised female head is characterised by a smooth oval face, long prominent nose and diminutive mouth, with the facial features reduced to an austere geometric simplicity. She wears an elaborate dark stone headdress extending broadly over the forehead and descending behind the head, its surface worked with closely incised linear ornament. The expansive schist body takes a broad, almost wing-like form and is densely decorated with incised geometric, herringbone and curvilinear patterns, creating the impression of an elaborate garment or ceremonial robe. The contrasting polished head and heavily patterned body are characteristic of the distinctive composite sculptural tradition associated with ancient Bactria and neighbouring regions of Central Asia. L: Approximately 21.5cm