A GROUP OF EIGHT BACTRIAN GEMSTONES, LATE 3RD TO EARLY 2ND MILLENNIUM BC

A GROUP OF EIGHT BACTRIAN GEMSTONES, LATE 3RD TO EARLY 2ND MILLENNIUM BC Oxus Civilization, c. 2500-1900 BC. Consisting of eight conical pieces crafted from agate and other gemstones, each differing in size, the translucent and opaque stones showcase a rich palette of colors, ranging from shades of orange and cream, to pale yellow. Condition: Good condition with some wear, small chips here and there, signs of weathering and erosion with associated minor losses. Provenance: Estate of Paolo Bertuzzi (1943-2022) was an engineer and fashion stylist from Bologna, Italy. Born Paolo Bertuzzi as the son of Enrichetta Bertuzzi, the founder of Hettabretz, one of the most important leather merchants in Italy which crafted womenswear for royals and celebrities including The Rothschild family, Audrey Hepburn, and Elizabeth Taylor. Paolo Bertuzzi later took over his mother’s business and created exclusive pieces, some of which were exhibited in the Costume Institute at Metropolitan Museum of New York. He was also an avid collector of antiques for more than 60 years. His collection includes archaic and contemporary art, focusing mainly on Asian ancient pieces. Over decades he developed close relations with galleries, museums, curators, and auction houses while shaping his collection. He edited two important books about Asian art, Goa Made - An Archaeological Discovery, about a large-scale archaeological project carried out with the Italian and Indonesian governments, and Majapahit, Masterpieces from a Forgotten Kingdom. Weight: 154.8 g in total Dimensions: Height 2 – 3 cm