Monday, January 19, 2015

Ancient Carved Steatite Vessel Bactria Approx Four Thousand Yrs Old



A carefully carved ancient steatite bowl probably used in life by the owner and taken to the grave with the deceased.  
Ancient Carved Steatite Vessel Bactria Approx Four Thousand Yrs Old
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An ancient Bactrian beautiful steatite dish carved into a kidney shape The olive green sets off the striations in the rhomboid motifs to good effect. The line decoration lightens the geometric shapes into a more lyrical over all design. But the piece is in excellent condition for an object that has been weathered either in the earth or exposed to the elements for at least 3,500 years and very possibly as long as 5,000 years.  


The dish is decorated all around. The culture that produced this dish is located in what is now the country of Afghanistan in the North part, in the high desert of Central Asia, nestled into the lower part of the Hindu Kush range of the Himalayas.  


The civilization that began to develop in ancient Bactria some 5,000 years ago was replaced by later inhabitants that have also been replaced, or at least their culture has developed in a new direction. But in the third millennium B.C., some 5,000 years ago, the myths that informed the culture were expressed in designs on stone amulets, seals, and vessels of various kinds. The myths were acted out in monumental temples.


This dish was probably buried along with the owner as part of his grave goods, though it might have been simply left in a room of a temple that fell to ruin due to invasion or abandonment. 


Since the Bactrians of this period did not record history in writing, we have no way of knowing how the dish was used.  

Size: 7.2 cm x 5 cm x 1.7 cm (2.8 in x 1.9 in x 0.7 in)  Contact me with questions or for invoice through the private message form at the top right of this page.

14 comments:

  1. It certainly is interesting to imagine the owner of this ancient artifact. The design around the dish makes a lovely contrast to the greenish steatite, which I learned via Google is a type of soapstone. I wonder why it is kidney shaped instead of round?

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    1. Thank you, Debbie, for reading and commenting on this blog. Yes, steatite, soapstone and one or two other terms are applied to this soft stone. The Bactrians had as part of their culture the creation of small reproductions of human parts to wear or use for healing or protection. I would hazard a guess that this is a dish carved for the healing of kidney disease??? Just a guess, but I have soooo very many artifacts in the shape of feet, hands, and other parts from this same culture.

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  2. It's always interesting to learn about peoples of the past. The dish looks shallower on the inside, and also looks heavy. Would be interesting to see pictures of it in use by its owner. :)

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  3. As always, a fascinating post, Anna. And, as always, I wonder about the artisan who crafted this amazing piece so many centuries ago. Maybe the kidney shape is akin to a Spanish milagro - hopefully to heal a health problem. Will share.

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    1. The practice of making something like voodoo images was probably quite widespread in ancient times. I agree. Thanks so much for the shares.

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  4. It's a beautiful piece - particularly for being so old! Like Ewenique, I was curious about the stone. (I have to admit that I recognize the term soapstone, whereas this is the first time I've ever heard of steatite.)

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    1. There are at least three different names for this kind of stone that I see used commonly: chlorite, steatite and soapstone. Soapstone is used in the vernacular; archeologists use chlorite and steatite interchangeably. It is really a hardened version of talc.

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  5. Fascinating article. I always thought that the dish is bigger. I wonder what is the weight of it.

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    1. It is not very heavy, because steatite (soapstone, chlorite) is made of a dense talc. It is not like jade or agate that are crystalline that a large piece can be very heavy.

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  6. That is amazing how this dish survived for thousands of year. It is in good condition for being so old. Trying to think what it was used for, maybe to hold some sort of spice. Will share your post.

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    1. Thank you for reading and commenting and for sharing, too!
      Anna

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  7. I always enjoy looking at your artifacts, Anna!

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    1. Thank you, Roxanne. I enjoy visiting your beautiful pear creations from time to time. You have a way with them.

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