The Indus Valley is a Bronze Age civilization from the Near East, which lasted from 3300 BC to 31 BC. It was one of three early and widespread cradles of civilisation along with Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia. It was discovered when engraved seals were found in the province of Punjab in 1920-21, first in the ancient city of Harappa and then locations down the Indus River leading to Mohenjo-daro. Indus Valley inhabitants were 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 finds can be dated back to the Nal culture, which flourished in the north-west region of the Indus Valley. Their terracotta works are characterized by a linear style, a geometric repetition of shapes and lines. Also, animals and plants, rendered in a stylised manner, feature heavily 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.
Large Indus Valley Terracotta Vessel
£ 695.00
A large Indus Valley terracotta vessel featuring a small, circular, flat foot from which the globular body rises. The shoulders taper in to a circular mouth with an everted rim. The body is enriched with a decorative horizontal panel in dark pigment. Three zebu bulls are portrayed facing right. They each have elongated bodies with a hump on their back and large curving horns. Each mammal is flanked by a peepal tree, also known as the tree of life. It has six curving branches with a leaf on each end. Filling the background space are numerous geometric motifs. Above the panel is a smaller frieze of small, uniform ibexes facing right. A final frieze of triangles containing vertical lines features on top just below the rim. Both the outside and inside of the rim are painted in the same dark pigment. The terracotta is darkened on half of the vessel which unintentionally happens during the firing process.
Provenance: Property of a North London gentleman; formerly in a European Collection, France, bought in Paris in the 1990s.
Condition: Very fine condition, several chips to the rim. Minor scratches and chips to the body consistent with age. Encrustation to the surface. The number 200 written on the base from the previous owner.
SOLD
| Weight | 2300 g |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | W 29 x H 20.5 cm |
| Culture | |
| Pottery and Porcelain | |
| Region |
