Bactrian tradition: A vessel decorated with a human head

Large-scale vessels featuring a convex human head as an ornament were known in ancient Greece, for example, the "Megar Cup." An example of this tradition is the Persian-era ivory goblet found in Nisa.

This bowl, which is in the collection of the Miho Museum in Japan, was likely made in Bactria. (c. III–II centuries). As proof of our opinion, we can cite the similarity between the human head in this bowl and the sea horse head made of ivory found in Takhti-Sangin (Tajikistan).

The body of the calyx rises vertically and ends in a corolla, the uppermost of which is curved. The interior of the bowl is decorated with round petals ending in 16 narrow arches. On each arch is a high-relief male head with gold-plated hair.