*RARE PYXIS The pyxis has a concave exterior, a convex interior and a flat circular base. It was probably used as a mirror holder. On the sides are six reclining lions with engraved manes. The lid is embossed in the shape of a snake twisted around itself, with a ridge in relief in the shape of a snake's head in the centre. This type of pyxis was used to hold mirrors. They were made from a variety of materials, such as wood (fig.1) or silver, with different geometric and animal decorations. Here, the decoration refers to the BMAC's classic iconographic repertoire. Powerful animal figures represent the cosmic battle between the forces of Good (symbolised by the lions) and Evil (the snake). This recurring iconography (fig.2) (Metropolitan Museum, NY, 1989.281.42) attests to the central place of nature and its elements in the religious and social practices of the Bronze Age. Silver and bronze. Diam. 20 cm Bactria, Late 3rd-early 2nd millennium BC A Bactrian Silver Pyxis with lid. The pyxis has a concave-shaped exterior, a convex-shaped interior and a flat circular base. It is likely that it was used as a mirror support. On the sides six lying lions with engraved manes. The lid is embossed in the shape of a twisted snake, with a raised crest in the shape of a snake's head in the centre. This type of pyxis was used to contain mirrors. They were made of various materials, such as wood (fig.1) or silver with different decorations; geometric and animalistic. Here the decoration refers to the classic iconographic repertoire of the BMAC. Representing through powerful animal figures the cosmic battle between the forces of Good (symbolized by the lions) and Evil (the snake). This recurring iconography (fig.2) (Metropolitan Museum, NY, 1989.281.42) attests to the central place of nature and its elements in the religious and social practices of the Bronze Age. Late 3rd- Early 2nd Millennium B.C.E. Provenance Nefer Gallery, Zurich, 14 January 1978 Rassla Foundation, Zurich Publications Ligabue Magazine, 2, 1983, p. 83; G.Ligabue, S. Salvadori, Bactria, 1985, p. 220, fig. 87 H.P. Frankfurt, Observations sur la torèutique de la civilisation de l'oxus, in "Afghanistan: Ancien carrefour entre l'Est et l'Ouest", Paris 2003, p 48, fig. 10 G. Ligabue, G. Rossi Osmida, Sulla via delle oasi, Trebaseleghe 2007, p. 221 G. Ligabue, G. Rossi Osmida, Animali e mito, Trebaseleghe 2008, p. 200, fig. 1. *For buyers from the European Union: This lot is sold under temporary import status. Buyers will only be required to pay an additional handling fee. No import VAT will be charged. Buyers inside European Union: The lot is sold under Temporary Import status. Buyers will only have to pay additional paperworks fees. No import VAT will be charged to them.