A BACTRIAN CHLORITE COLUMNBactria-Margiana, Oxus civilization, c. 2500-2400 BC. The column-like object with a cylindrical body tapering in the middle and flaring at the top and bottom, with grooves extending from the flat ends to part of the sides, the wear is more developed on one side.Published: Treasures from the OXUS, The art and civilization of central Asia, by Massimo Vidale, page 49.Condition: Good condition commensurate with age, with usual traces of wear and age as well as few notches. Provenance: Gallery Axel Vervoordt & Antiques, Kanaal, Belgium, a copy of the invoice, dated 30 November 2002, where the price for this lot then is stated with Euro 2,800 accompanies this lot. Estate of Paolo Bertuzzi, acquired from the above. Paolo Bertuzzi (1943-2022) was an engineer and fashion stylist from Bologna, Italy. Born as the son of Enrichetta Bertuzzi, the founder of Hettabretz, one of the most important leather merchants in Italy which crafted womenswear for royals and celebrities including The Rothschild family, Audrey Hepburn, and Elizabeth Taylor. Paolo Bertuzzi later took over his mother’s business and created exclusive pieces, some of which were exhibited in the Costume Institute at Metropolitan Museum of New York. He was also an avid collector of antiques for more than 60 years. His collection includes archaic and contemporary art, focusing mainly on Asian ancient pieces. Over decades he developed close relations with galleries, museums, curators, and auction houses while shaping his collection. He edited two books on Asian art, Goa Made. An Archaeological Discovery, about large-scale archaeological project carried out together with the Italian and Indonesian governments, and Majapahit, Masterpieces from a Forgotten Kingdom.Weight: 10 kgDimensions: Height 26 cm