**Originally Listed At $600**

Asia Minor, Yortan culture or related in Western Anatolia, Early Bronze Age, ca. 2700 to 2300 BCE. A fine hand-built ceramic vessel with a planar base, an ovoid body with a central ridge on top, a nubbin-shaped projection along one side of the neck, and a wide circular spout. A small perforated suspension loop is situated just below the mouth of the vessel from which a trio of incised striations extending downwards on either side of the body and a singular stripe running the length of the ridge. A small curved "toe" on the end of the shoe-form body may have acted as a gripping point so the vessel could be inverted to pour the liquids contained within. Size: 8.625" L x 7.25" H (21.9 cm x 18.4 cm).

Ancient Western Anatolia is famous for a number of large ruins, most notably Troy (Hisarlik), but many mysteries remain. The Yortan culture is known through a burial site in the valley of Bakir Cai that has not been well-studied. Adults and children were buried, crouched, in large terracotta storage containers; around them were placed a great deal of pottery in the form of jugs, jars, and occasionally bowls, much of it blackware just like this piece. An incredibly rare and well-preserved example from a little-known culture!

This piece has been tested using thermoluminescence (TL) and has been found to be ancient and of the period stated. A full report will accompany purchase.

Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection

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#135447

Several areas of resurfacing along one side of body. Surface wear and abrasions commensurate with age, small nicks and chips across body, base, and spout, with some fading to exterior color, and light roughness across most surfaces. Light earthen deposits throughout. Old inventory sticker on base.