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Large Chinese Neolithic Period Banshan Painted Clay Pottery Handled Water Jar Hu

About the Item

A rare Chinese Neolithic period Majiayao culture / possibly late Yangshao culture, Banshan type, Gansu Province, Northern China, 3rd-2nd Millennium B.C., large earthenware water jar (hu) Having a globular upper body with flared mouth and loop handles at either side, decorated with Archaic red and black geometrics, surrounding lines and cross-hatched concentric circles, over a rapidly tapering lower body. The decoration is best viewed from above, suggesting that in its original context the vessel would probably have been placed on the ground or a low platform. Dimensions: (approx) 16" High, 15" Wide, 14" Deep; 10.1lbs *Additional photos available upon request Great antique condition with beautifully aged patina. Wear consistent with age and use, including minor losses, evidence of restorations to one handle and rim, indentation to one side likely during construction, overall a remarkable example, especially considering its age Provenance / Acquisition: Acquired from the highly reputable auction house, Austin Auction Gallery, est.1983, Austin, Texas. History: Skillfully formed by hand and beautifully painted with patterns typical of Banshan ceramics, this jar illustrates early Chinese ceramic manufacture and decoration. The Banshan culture existed within the Yangshao culture, which flourished in the Yellow River region during the Neolithic Period. Swedish geologist Johan Gunnar Andersson (1874-1960) excavated pots of this type from a grave in a Banshan cemetery in 1924. Andersson explored a number of archaeological sites in China from 1921 to 1926, documenting how jars of this sort, which may have held offerings, were placed around a corpse. Banshan Pottery, site of a Neolithic cemetery in the Tao River valley of China, the type site of the Banshan (or Pan-shan) culture which belongs to the western or Gansu branch of the Yangshao Neolithic. Banshan is best known for its painted pottery first found in a grave in 1923. Pan-shan ware is generally considered to date from between 2500-2000 BC, but it may extend as far back as 3000 BC or be as late as c 1500 BC (the Shang dynasty). Most are unglazed pottery urns or reddish brown with painted designs in black and brown, probably applied with a brush, consisting of geometric patterns or stylized figures of people, fish, or birds. The wares probably shaped on a slow or hand-turned wheel. The handles are set low on the body of the urns, and the lower part of the body is left undecorated - much like Greek Proto-geometric funerary ware. It was an important find because of the lack of Neolithic Chinese pottery up to 1923. A late stage of Banshan is named after the site of Machang

Dimensions:

Height: 16 in (40.64 cm)Width: 15 in (38.1 cm)Depth: 14 in (35.56 cm)

Style:

Primitive (In the Style Of)

Materials and Techniques:

Clay,Hand-Crafted,Hand-Painted

Place of Origin:

China

Period:

15th Century and Earlier

Date of Manufacture:

3rd-2nd Millennium B.C

Condition:

Repaired: Evidence of old restorations to the rim and one handle. Wear consistent with age and use. Minor losses. Minor fading. Great antique condition with beautifully aged patina. Wear consistent with age & use, including minor losses, evidence of restorations to one handle & rim. Indentation to one side likely when made. Overall a remarkable example.

Seller Location:

Forney, TX

Reference Number:

1stDibs: LU5977239207212

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