Featured in this lot are Seven (7) Parthian Neo-Persian Kushan Pottery Head fragments, circa 247 BC. to 651 AD. Procured in Afghanistan between 1969-1972. Provenance: the Owen D. Mort, Jr. Collection. Owen David Mort was an American engineer who amassed an impressive collection throughout his worldwide travels. His collection has included art, artifacts and other historical items from which he has donated to museums, including the Utah Museum of Fine Arts at the University of Utah and the Snite Museum of Art at the University of Notre Dame. Donations also include Afghan, Indian, Mughal, Parthian, Persian, African and Far East Asian art and artifacts. The Kushan Empire followed the Parthian dynasty in ruling the regions of Pakistan, Northern India and Afghanistan. One of the head fragments appears to show a cranial deformation or head flattening, a practice well attested in nomadic Central Asia, and represented in sculptures and friezes of the period. One of the head fragments is of an animal similar to the caracal (Desert Lynx) or a Striped Hyena, though its appearance is more feline with large ears and slanted eyes. The largest head fragment features incised markings to the face and head. The second largest head fragment appears to have Hellenic facial features. Khwaja Khanum is located in the northeast area of Afghanistan, inside the Kushan empire, which from approximately 200 B.C. until 200 A.D. was the furthest east Hellenistic-Greek state. As such, Hellenistic culture greatly influenced the art and culture. The largest head fragment measures 3.5"H x 2"W and the smallest is 1"W x 1.25"L. Collective weight is 12oz.*