Ancient Central Asia, Indus Valley, Mehrgarh period, ca. 3500 to 2800 BCE. A characteristically bird-faced Indus Valley female figure, positioned in a seated pose, with her hands extended outward. She boasts delineated legs, a slender waist, rounded shoulders, and ample breasts beneath an incised, orange-striped pectoral collar. Her elongated head displays recessed eyes flanking a petite nose, a miniscule incised mouth, and a tall forehead, all beneath a black and orange veil. Bird-faced figurines like this example are found throughout the region, although their meaning is unclear - most female figures found by largely male archaeologists of the late 19th and early 20th century CE were immediately given the title of "fertility idol," but more recent interpretations suggest that these figures probably had much more nuanced and varied symbolism. She may represent a goddess, a matriarch, or a worshipper, or something else. Custom museum-quality display stand included. Size: 1.625" W x 4.4" H (4.1 cm x 11.2 cm); 4.7" H (11.9 cm) on included custom stand.
Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection
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#140206
Condition
Minor nicks to head, body, and legs, with some fading to pigmentation and finer incised details, and light encrustations, otherwise intact and very good. Nice earthen deposits and traces of pigmentation throughout.