Ca. 3000-2500 BC. A terracotta chalice cup, with its striking hourglass shape of a flared cup and splayed concave foot. The densely decorated black-painted registers of linear and geometric motifs lend a sense of grandeur and timelessness to this stunning piece. The function of this chalice cup is not entirely clear, but it was likely used in a ceremonial or ritual context. The hourglass shape and flared cup would have made it easy to hold and drink from, while the splayed concave foot provided a stable base. The densely decorated black-painted registers would have added to the symbolic and aesthetic value of the cup, reinforcing its importance in a cultural or religious setting. The Indus Valley civilization, also known as the Harappan civilization, flourished in the Indus River valley in present-day Pakistan and western India during the 3rd millennium BC. The Indus Valley was home to a rich and diverse range of artistic and cultural practices, including the production of exquisite ceramics.Size: L:115mm / W:100mm ; 185gProvenance: Private UK collection; From an old London collection formed in the 1990s.