Egypt, Pre-Dynastic period, Nagada II, ca. 3400 to 3300 BCE. A handbuilt globular bichrome earthenware vessel, the body decorated throughout with a series of red concentric circles (target motifs) of varying sizes, with twin perforated lug handles (made from applied slabs that were curved to create an opening for suspension purposes) on the shoulder that are accentuated via wavy red lines above and upon them, and a flat everted rim. A beautiful example from this very early period. Size: 7.875" in diameter x 6.25" H (20 cm x 15.9 cm)

Although there is very little evidence pertaining to kilns that would lead to a better understanding of firing techniques from the Naqada II period, an interesting article written by Masahiro Baba analyzes the pottery produced at Hierakonpolis to propose a reconstruction of these techniques. Find this article entitled, "Pottery production at Hierakonpolis during the Naqada II period: Toward a reconstruciton of the firing technique," British Museum Studies in Ancient Egypt and Sudan 13 (2009): 1-23 at https://www.britishmuseum.org/pdf/Baba.pdf.

See a similar example that sold at Christies New York for $3250 on December 13, 2013 (Sale 2755, Lot 1) - https://www.christies.com/lotfinder/Lot/an-egyptian-pottery-jar-predynastic-period-naqada-5747462-details.aspx

Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection

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#132495

Expected surface wear commensurate with age. Earthen deposits and areas of encrustation. Otherwise generally excellent.