1113 - BACTRIA-MARGIAN CULTURE (BMAC or Oxus) (present-day Turkmenistan / Afghanistan) - Composite seated female figure, known as “Princess of Bactria” I, Late 3rd millennium – early 2nd millennium BC

BACTRIA-MARGIAN CULTURE (BMAC or Oxus) (present-day Turkmenistan / Afghanistan) - Composite seated female figure, known as “Princess of Bactria” I, Late 3rd millennium – early 2nd millennium BC Carved from white calcite, chlorite, and steatite. Dimensions: 7.4 x 5.5 x 2.5 cm. Weight: 120 g. An exceptional composite female figure belonging to the Bactrian-Margian civilization, also known as the Oxus civilization, one of the most sophisticated cultures of Central Asia during the late 3rd and early 2nd millennia BC. The sculpture is made by combining different types of stone, a distinctive feature of this small and prestigious group of works: the head is carved from white calcite, while the body and headdress are made of chlorite or steatite. The figure depicts a seated woman of high rank, traditionally identified as a princess, priestess, or female deity. The face displays the stylized features characteristic of these works, with large almond-shaped eyes, a prominent nose, and a serene expression that conveys authority and solemnity. The body is covered by a wide ceremonial mantle decorated with fine vertical incisions, reminiscent of the kaunakes, the famous sheepskin garment known in Mesopotamia and ancient Iran. These composite sculptures are among the most emblematic artistic expressions of the BMAC culture and rank among the rarest and most coveted objects of Central Asian archaeological art. Their exact meaning remains a subject of debate, although archaeological finds in funerary contexts suggest a function related to worship, the representation of high-ranking individuals, or the religious sphere. Several studies have indicated that these figures convey a powerful sense of monumentality and authority despite their small size, becoming true icons of the Oxus civilization. The use of different colored stones to highlight the face in relation to the body reinforces their symbolic and ceremonial character. This particular figure belongs to the group of ...