Object Description
An extremely fine Neolithic Chinese terracotta jar, dated to the Ma-Chang phase of the Majiayao culture, circa late 4th to the middle of the 3rd millennium BC. The vessel’s globular body slightly tapers inwards towards the flattened base. The upper part of the body forms a semi-globular shape, with a looped handle attached from the neck to the shoulder. A small, wedged handle protrudes from the lower body. The jar has a long, cylindrical neck that flares into a wide opening with an everted lip. The abstract, varied frog-pattern, featuring the iconic zig-zag shaped body and segmented claws, is painted in black pigment, enriching the upper part of the body. There are five continuous horizontal bands decorating the neck, echoing the painted, geometric ornaments that are displayed on the interior of the lip. Hatched linear etchings, in black pigment, appear within the painted band, used most likely as filler ornamentation.
Date: Circa 2350-2050 BC
Period: Neolithic Period