{"product_id":"far-eastern-carved-stone-flask-incised-animal","title":"Far Eastern Carved Stone Flask | Incised Animal \u0026 Geometric Motifs | Circa 1st Millennium BCE – Early 1st Millennium CE","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHistorical Context \u0026amp; Origin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRegion:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Far East (Specific Cultural Origin Undetermined)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Carved light grey-beige stone with mineral deposits and calcareous encrustations\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePeriod:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 1st Millennium BCE – Early 1st Millennium CE\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDescription\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis ancient carved stone flask is attributed to the Far East and dates to approximately the 1st millennium BCE through the early 1st millennium CE. The object reflects traditions of stone craftsmanship and decorative engraving, combining a compact vessel form with stylized animal imagery and abstract linear motifs.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe flask features a flattened, squared body that tapers slightly toward the base, surmounted by a short, raised neck with a carefully bored opening. Both broad faces are framed by incised rectangular borders, creating defined decorative panels that emphasize the object's distinctive geometric form.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOne face displays an incised quadruped depicted in motion, rendered with simplified lines that capture the animal's movement. The opposite face features abstract linear motifs, possibly representing decorative or symbolic imagery. The contrast between the figurative and geometric designs gives the small vessel a distinctive visual character.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFashioned from light grey-beige stone, the flask exhibits a mottled surface with calcareous encrustations, dark mineral deposits, and softened incised details. Its compact dimensions and carefully worked decoration suggest that it was intended to be a portable personal object, although its precise original function remains uncertain.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe combination of animal imagery, geometric ornamentation, and functional vessel construction makes this an intriguing example of ancient Far Eastern stone craftsmanship.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeatures\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFlattened, squared body with gently tapering sides and a compact profile\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eShort raised neck with an intact, bored opening\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIncised rectangular borders framing the decorative panels on both faces\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eStylized quadruped depicted in motion on one face\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAbstract linear and geometric motifs engraved on the opposite face\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLight grey-beige stone with mottled colouring, mineral deposits, and calcareous encrustations\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCultural Significance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAcross the ancient Far East, artisans developed diverse traditions of stone carving, engraving, and the production of small personal objects. Decorative imagery, including animals and geometric patterns, appeared in various forms of material culture and could carry aesthetic, cultural, or symbolic significance.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSmall carved stone containers demonstrate the technical skill required to shape durable materials into compact, functional objects. The addition of incised decoration suggests attention to both craftsmanship and visual presentation.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe quadruped depicted on this flask may have held symbolic meaning, although the species and significance of the animal cannot be established with certainty. Similarly, the abstract motifs on the reverse may represent decorative conventions or imagery associated with a particular cultural tradition.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhile the flask's bored opening indicates that it was constructed as a small vessel, its precise contents and intended use remain unknown. Without a securely documented archaeological context, an association with particular rituals, medicinal substances, cosmetics, or protective practices cannot be confirmed.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe flask displays surface wear, weathering, softened carving details, calcareous encrustations, and dark mineral deposits. The light grey-beige stone exhibits natural mottling, with minor nicks and abrasions along the edges.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe short raised neck remains intact, with the bored mouth open and visible. Both decorated faces retain their incised rectangular borders, with the animal figure and abstract linear motifs remaining discernible despite areas of surface wear.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe object retains its distinctive overall form and decorative features.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2693\" data-start=\"2678\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions (Approximate)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2693\" data-start=\"2678\"\u003eHeight: 1.75 in\u003cbr data-end=\"121\" data-start=\"118\"\u003eWidth: 1.5 in\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2693\" data-start=\"2678\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"80\" data-end=\"87\"\u003eAge \u003cstrong\u003e(Approximate)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2693\" data-start=\"2678\"\u003e1,500–3,000 years old\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProvenance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFormerly with Arte Primitivo, New York, a gallery and auction house specializing in Pre-Columbian, ancient, and ethnographic art. Subsequently held in a private collection in New York, New York, USA.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eExpert Assessment:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Examined by \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/relicandrarity.com\/pages\/independent-specialist-network\" title=\"Luca Salvaggio | Independent Specialist Network | Relic \u0026amp; Rarity\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLuca Salvaggio\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, an Italian archaeologist specializing in Greek, Roman, Near Eastern, and Cypriot material, with a Postgraduate Diploma from the Italian Archaeological School at Athens (IASA) and accreditation from the Italian Ministry of Culture (MiC). He attributed the carved stone flask to the Far East, dating from the 1st millennium BCE to the early 1st millennium CE, based on its flattened, squared body, short raised neck, incised rectangular borders, stylized quadruped in motion, and abstract linear motifs. He further documented its light grey-beige stone composition, calcareous encrustations, mineral deposits, and surface weathering. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLearn More\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eExplore ancient votive objects and personal amulets through \u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/thevotivesproject.org\/2020\/06\/12\/memories-for-life\/\" title=\"Memories for Life – Ancient Votive Objects \u0026amp; Personal Amulets\"\u003eThe Votives Project\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Relic and Rarity","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51736315920706,"sku":null,"price":500.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0955\/1803\/2194\/files\/Far-Eastern-Carved-Stone-Flask-Incised-Animal-4530.png?v=1794426609","url":"https:\/\/relicandrarity.com\/products\/far-eastern-carved-stone-flask-incised-animal","provider":"Relic \u0026 Rarity","version":"1.0","type":"link"}