Ancient Central Asia, Indus Valley, ca. 3rd millennium BCE. An enormous example of some of the earliest decorated pottery in Central Asia, a broad pottery vessel with a carinated body, a deep groove with squat edges surrounding the flat shoulder decorated with a raised serpentine band, and a deep interior cavity, all atop a lightly flared circular base. The charming decorative register displays highly stylized animal figures in dark-brown pigment atop a cream-hued ground including two pairs of zebu bulls, each standing atop grass and separated by a tall, wide-branched tree, and with a fish above its back. A quartet of horizontal stripes create the ground upon which the zoomorphic scene is presented, and dense lattice-pattern panels flank the solid-colored serpent on the shoulder. Size: 15.3" W x 9.5" H (38.9 cm x 24.1 cm)

This piece has been tested using thermoluminescence (TL) analysis and has been found to be ancient and of the period stated. A full printed and bound report is available to the buyer upon request.

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

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

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Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.

#146233

Repaired from multiple pieces with light restoration, resurfacing, and overpainting along break lines. Minor nicks and abrasions to rim, body, and base, with light fading to areas of original pigmentation. Nice earthen deposits and traces of original pigmentation throughout. Two TL drill holes: along base and on side of body.