A huge Chinese Neolithic Painted Vessel, Yangshao Culture, circa 2300-2000 BCE

Majiayao Yangshao Culture, Ma-chang phase. Hand molded in fine, red clay, the flared sides rise from a flat base to a broad rounded shoulder that tapers to a graceful, everted rim. Two lug handles flank the shoulder of the vessel. The highly dynamic lozenge and circle design is applied in light brown pigment and highlighted with plumb-red to the smooth burnished surface that commences just below the shoulder.

A vessel such as this example would have been used to keep liquids and food cool in the sand. The undecorated bottom half would have been buried in the sand, and the only decorated top half would have been visible above the sand.

In his "Prehistoric Pottery in China", (London, 1938), Ph. Dr. G. D. Wu illustrates the general characteristics of the wares from this culture in Illustrations, p 41-43. The motif design on the pot is classified within Family 1 - Four large circles - as per Mr. N. Palmgrens' scheme of classification. Also see: Watson W. "Pre-Tang Ceramics of China" (1991)pg 91 #46 & 47(c)

Condition: minor pigment flaking, small chip to the repaired rim, scattered surface abrasions that does not detract, otherwise the vessel is intact and in excellent condition for this size and age.  Rare to find in this size, the vessel presents exceptionally well.

Dimensions: Height: 18 1/4 inches (46.4 cm), Width: 16 inches (40.6 cm)

Provenance: Private Virginia collection, acquired from Oriental Treasures, Inc., Dallas, Texas, in 1995, then by descent.