3rd-2nd millennium BC. A substantial stone idol in three parts: a stylised serpentine body carved in relief with layers of leaves on all faces, a shallow oval-shaped recess at the top for placement of the head; a carved alabaster or marble head, bald, with detailing to the ears, eyebrows, eyes, nose and mouth, and a broad base for placement onto the body; a head-piece with a flared neck, decorated with eight 'petals' radiating from the centre-point of the domed top, and a series of horizontal ridges along the neck. See Aruz, J., Art of The First Cities: The Third Millennium B.C. from the Mediterranean to the Indus, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2003, pp. 367-368, for discussion and similar examples; cf. Hiebert, F. and Cambon, P. edn., Afghanistan: Crossroads of the Ancient World, The British Museum Press, 2011, pp.71-76, for discussion and comparable objects.2.7 kg total, 17cm (6 3/4"). Property of a Dutch private collector; previously the private collection of Dr P.A.F. van Veen, circa 1960; accompanied by a five page scientific report from Dr Boaz Paz of Laboratorien Für Archäometrie, Germany, and a scholarly note TL5336 by Dr Ronald Bonewitz; this lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by AIAD certificate number no. 10360-167821.[3] [A video of this lot is available to view on TimeLine Auctions website.]