Conical female figurine portrayed standing, her large
vest folded at the bottom in four creases, her bulging
shoulders and arms close to the body. Both breasts
and the necklace applied on the body. The angular
face with applied facial features comprising
continuous lines in relief as eyebrows, elongated
fissured eyes below, open mouth and large
protruding nose. The hair combed backwards
between two enlarged earlobes. In her hands, what
seems like a grinding stone and a pestle, reminding
us the most vital domestic practice commonly found
in Neolithic settlements.
Figurines with similarly applied facial features have
been traditionally ascribed to the Bajaur Valley at the
border between Pakistan and India, in the sphere of
influence of the early Harappan civilization during the
so called Regionalisation Era (2800-2600 BC).
Incredibly enough, the extraordinary blend of realism
-imbued in the detailed torso and arms of this
figurine, and surrealism -of her large facial traits-
would not feel out of place in a contemporary setting,
thus transcending the boundaries of time and space.
For a discussion on Harappan figurines see: J.M.
Kenoyer, Ancient Cities of the Indus Valley
Civilization, 1998.
