A NEOLITHIC PAINTED POTTERY JAR
Majiayao culture, Banshan phase, 2650-2300 BC
With high shoulder tapering to a narrow foot and flat base, the short cylindrical neck slightly flared at the rim, a pair of lug handles just below the shoulder, freely painted with bands of geometric patterns in black, dark brown and red, the lower half of the vessel undecorated, traces of encrusted earth remain from burial.
15 3/4in (40.3cm) high
Footnotes:
新石器時期 馬家窯文化 半山類型 彩陶雙繋罐

Provenance:
Purchased in Hong Kong, late 1960s

來源：
1960年代購於香港

Compare the similar Neolithic jar from the Walter C. Sedgwick collection and now in the Harvard Art Museums, illustrated on the museum's website, accession number 2006.170.32, described as from the upper Yellow River valley which includes Gansu, Qinghai, and Ningxia provinces.

Another Neolithic jar with painted geometric decoration is illustrated by R. Krahl, Dawn of the Yellow Earth: Ancient Chinese Ceramics from the Meiyinyang Collection, China Institute, New York, 2000, p. 65, no. 14.

PLEASE NOTE: This report describes, but may not be limited to, major condition issues for the lot.


Overall in good, stable condition. Unusual design of this type. Shallow chips to mouth rim. Both lug handles restored. Long crack above one of the handles, approx. 7 1/4 inches (18.7 cm) wide, minimally touched up and stabilized. Small 'lumps' to clay body are original from the firing. Surface degraded with scratches throughout.