Aniconic stone column
Bactria, Central Asia or Asia Minor
Varigated stone
12 inches high by 5.63 inches diameter at base (30.5 by 14.4 cm), 17 lbs.
3rd to 2nd millennium BCE
Ex private collection, Oakland, CA

This is a classic columnar stone piece from the ancient culture referred to as the Bactria-Margiana Archaeological Complex (BCAM), which spread throughout the "stans" in Central Asia.The actual function of these stone columns is unknown, though they are sometimes referred to as 'idols'. There is a straight incised grove on the top and bottom that continues a bit on the concave sides.
#5233

$4200