Near Eastern Terracotta Curved Bowl
A Near Eastern curved-wall terracotta bowl. The vessel features a neat wide body resting on a flat, circular base. Two horizontal raised ridges decorate the upper body. Earthly encrustations cover the interior and exterior of the vessel, but in places the original variegated colouring of the terracotta can still be seen. A long, but stable crack appears on the interior of the bowl near the rim. Minor chips to the rim and ridges.
Ancient Near Eastern artistic production is characterised by finely potted, high fired terracotta vessels, usually enriched by dark pigmented geometric or zoomorphic decorations. Such vessels would have been produced to store food, but also as burial goods to be placed with the deceased in the tomb.
Although the first examples of Ancient Western Asiatic pottery production display simple shapes and stylised decorative motifs, terracotta wares evolved, embracing aesthetics driven by all the cultures which entered into contact with the Near East.
Period: Circa 1st millennium BC
Measurements (circa): Diameter 13.5 cm × Depth 5.6 cm
Provenance: Ex London Collection, formed between 1990–present
Condition: Good
(LAPADA Member)
(Antiquities Dealers Association – ADA)
(British Numismatic Trade Association – BNTA)