c. 3000-2000 BC. Bactrian. A beautiful example of a column idol (sometimes called a pillar idol), carved from a mottled pale-orange stone with white inclusions. The body of the idol is minimalistic and highly-abstract with an elongated conical form, and a single contiguous groove is carved around the entire sculpture. Stone idols like this example are known in a variety of fascinating forms throughout the pre-literate ancient world. They are attested across the vast expanses of Western Asia from the Caspian Sea to Afghanistan, including ancient Bactria. Their precise meaning remains elusive, but the many hours of labour required for their manufacture makes it clear they were prestige items, perhaps used during religious ceremonies. Provenance: From an old British collection, acquired on the UK art market in the 1980s. Size: L:217mm / W:115mm ; 5.5kg