Ancient Near East/Asia Minor, Anatolia, Yortan culture, Early Bronze Age II, ca. 2700 to 2400 BCE. An enormous wheel-thrown pottery jug with a trio of conical feet, a spherical body with a tapered shoulder, a squat neck with a tall, beaked spout, and an arching ring handle. The sizable vessel features three petite conical protrusions around the shoulder, and above the center nodule is a pierced suspension loop. Most of the exterior surface is decorated with a lustrous jet-black glaze that imbues it with an attractive presentation, and traces of green pigment are visible near the handle. A beautiful example of early Yortan artistry! Size: 7.75" W x 12.375" H (19.7 cm x 31.4 cm).

Ancient Western Anatolia is famous for a number of large ruins, most notably Troy (Hisarlik), but many mysteries remain. The Yortan culture is known through a burial site in the valley of Bakir Cai that has not been well-studied. Adults and children were buried, crouched, in large terracotta storage containers; around them were placed a great deal of pottery in the form of jugs, jars, and occasionally bowls, much of it blackware just like this piece. An incredibly rare and well-preserved example from a little-known culture!

Provenance: private East Coast collection, New York Gallery, New York City, New York, USA, before 2010

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#149176

Professionally repaired from multiple large pieces, with light restoration along some areas, with resurfacing and overpainting along new material and break lines. Minor abrasions and nicks to handle, spout, body, and feet, with fading to areas of original pigmentation, and light encrustations. Light earthen deposits and nice traces of original glaze pigment throughout.