Ancient Central Asia, Bactria, ca. late 3rd to early 2nd millennium BCE. A stunning ritual chalice of a tall, elegant form, hand-carved from soft honey-yellow alabaster with natural veining in darker hues that illuminates when held to a bright light. The vessel presents with a wide conical foot beneath a slender stem, a broad cylindrical body with a carinated lower edge and tapered walls, and a discoid rim surrounding the deep basin. The entire chalice retains a meticulously-polished smoothness to its surfaces, and faint traces of the original chisel/drill marks are visible within the basin. A substantial and finely preserved example of elaborate Bactrian ritual artistry! Alabaster, a light-coloured, calcareous stone from the Iranian Plateau, has strong connections in ancient western and central Asia to religion and specifically the gods. For example, in the site of Kultepe-Kanes, a huge burial mound, there were many disc-shaped alabaster idols, naked alabaster goddesses, and lion figures. We also know that alabaster was a precious material, widely traded in the region from the 4th millennium BCE onward. A chalice like this one was made to be placed into a tomb to hold offerings or for ritual proceedings that pertained to the religious practices of the ancient Bactrian peoples. Acquired from a Belgium private collection, F.R in the 80's. -The piece includes an authenticity certificate. The Seller can prove that the lot was obtained legally. Important information. The seller guarantees that he is entitled to ship this lot. The seller will take care that any necessary permits will be arranged, this process can take between 2 and 4 weeks. IMPORTANT: Due to the new laws on the export of archaeological pieces, we have decided to NO LONGER sell outside the European territory for the following countries: SWITZERLAND & UNITED STATES of AMERICA. For other destinations out of European territory: all our items will be shipped after obtaining a definitive LICENSE EXPORTATION by the Ministry of Culture of Spain. We inform our clients that it may take between 4-8 weeks. According to Spanish legislation, items sent outside the European Union are subjected to export taxes. The taxes will be added to the invoice, at the buyer's expense. These export fees are fixed on the final auction price, and the tax rate is not applied directly to the total value of the item to be exported, but rather the different percentages by sections are applied to it: Up to 6,000 euros: 5%. / From 6.001 to 60.000 euros: 10 %. Please note that for far destination (Asia, middle east etc.. ), there will be an additional cost for the shipping.