Dawenkou Culture, 4th-2nd millennium BC. A terracotta jar with broad shoulder and neck, flared rim, two broad strap handles; bands of painted red and black decoration to the rim, neck, handles and shoulder including reserved wavy lines, loops and bird-like motifs. See Boltz, W.G. The Origin and Early Development of the Chinese Writing System, American Oriental Series, vol. 78. American Oriental Society, New Haven, 2003. 880 grams, 21cm (8 1/4"). From an old Tokyo collection; formerly the property of a Japanese gentleman since the late 1970s. The repeating symbols on Dawenkou culture ceramics are often thought to represent an early form of writing, perhaps comprising ideograms and 'totemic' or clan-symbols. Many scholars believe that they form an early stage of the process which led to the development of Chinese script. [No Reserve]

Fine condition.