A Western Asiatic terracotta pot featuring geometric decoration. The body of the vessel is globular in shape and rests on a flattened base. The pot tapers at the neck before flaring to an everted, flat-topped rim. The vessel is decorated with encircling bands of alternating red and black pigment along the body, shoulder and rim of the vessel.
The shoulder of the vessel features a geometric decoration of cross-sectioned diamonds with two spirals on the top and bottom of each. These are outlined in black pigment, while sections of the diamonds are filled with red pigment.
Some chips to the rim, and a chip to the surface of the body. A hairline crack from the rim to the shoulder. Some scratches and earthy encrustations throughout.
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): Width 15.5 cm × Height 16.4 cm
Provenance: Ex London Collection, formed between 1990–present
Condition: Good
(LAPADA Member)
(Antiquities Dealers Association – ADA)
(British Numismatic Trade Association – BNTA)