Neolithic Majiayao Culture Painted Pottery Jar With Beast Motif, Majiayao Culture 3300 BCE‑2050 BCE

拍品描述

Dimensions: 11.5 cm (4.53 in) in diameter, 6.5 cm (2.56 in) in height, Early to Middle Neolithic (4th millennium BCE to early 2nd millennium BCE). Condition and Provenance: This jar is well-preserved, with no minor cracks or signs of glued repairs. The rim shows only minor scratches related to excavation. The small hole on the shoulder is an original perforation, without any signs of later drilling, polishing, repainting, or acid washing. The sandy clay body is solid, covered with a thick, natural patina. The main animal motif on the body is clearly visible, painted with black mineral pigment; some pigment wear and fading are entirely due to long-term burial. The turning marks on the base are original traces of prehistoric craftsmanship. The soil crust and surface patina remain in their untreated burial state. This pottery jar was passed down through generations of collectors in Northwest China, later acquired by an antique gallery in Hong Kong, and finally purchased in 2017 by a private collector in Washington State, USA, specializing in prehistoric pottery. Hong Kong, Washington State, and Vancouver are important global trading centers for Neolithic Chinese painted pottery artifacts. Description: This Majiayao painted pottery jar with animal motifs was once a storage container and sacrificial item used by prehistoric tribes in the upper reaches of the Yellow River in Gansu-Qinghai region. Animal motifs are relatively rare in Majiayao painted pottery. The jar has a short, upright mouth, a rounded and full body, and a shallow, flat bottom. Holes were left in the shoulder for threading ropes. The outer wall of the jar is freely painted with running spotted animals in black pigment, the lines bold and simple, reflecting the painting style of primitive tribes. Animal hunting patterns symbolize culture and animal worship, reflecting the nomadic lifestyle and tribal totem beliefs of ancient people. This pottery jar was hand-formed using the coil-building method, and after rough polishing, it was painted with manganese-based mineral pigments and then fired in a low-temperature wood-fired kiln. The clearly visible traces of rotational trimming on the bottom of the jar provide valuable material evidence for the study of Neolithic pottery technology, prehistoric painting art, and ancient hunting and nomadic civilization in Northwest China. Small Majiayao jars that are well-preserved and have clearly defined animal patterns are extremely rare on the world market. This pottery jar has a simple and unadorned shape, highly recognizable animal patterns, and is in excellent condition. It has extremely high archaeological research value and prehistoric art collection value, attracting widespread attention from North American art collectors and small private museums overseas. It is a unique and core collection in the field of ancient painted pottery.

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