Superb Indus Valley Terracotta Bowl with Fish

$189.44

A finely decorated Indus Valley terracotta bowl featuring an intricate fish design in dark brown pigment. The vessel displays a flat rounded foot, from which its flaring body rises. The inside of the bowl displays a register of three large fish immersed in a geometrical decoration circling a central medallion. Four concentric rings frame the medallion which is decorated with floral and vegetal motifs arranged in a double-cross. The side of the bowl features two pigmented rings near the foot, partial decoration can be seen to the upper side which, over time, has unfortunately faded or been covered by earthly encrustation.  

Date: Circa 2500-2000 BC
Condition: Fine condition, the pigments and decoration very well preserved, a few chips to the rim.

SOLD

The Indus Valley is a Bronze Age civilization from the Near East, which lasted from 3300 BC to 31 BC. It was discovered when engraved seals were found in the Pakistan’s province of Punjab in 1920-21, first in a site called Harappa and then all along the Indus River. Indus Valley inhabitants are known to be skilled in a wide range of techniques, but it is thanks to pottery production that they have been appreciated by archaeologists and collectors. Most of the pottery from such civilization can be dated back to the Nal culture, which flourished in the northwest region of the Indus Valley. Their terracotta works are characterized by a linear style and geometric repetition of shapes and lines. Also, animals and plants, rendered in a stylised manner, abounded on their creations.  Pigments would have been added to enrich such vessels, which would have been used in everyday life but also placed in the tombs with the deceased as grave goods.

Weight 509.6 g
Dimensions W 18 x H 6.5 cm
Culture

Pottery and Porcelain

Region

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