Ancient Egypt, Pre-Dynastic Period, Naqada II, ca. 3400 to 3300 BCE. A hand-built globular bichrome earthenware vessel, the body decorated throughout with a series of red zigzag lines and spiraling circles in varying sizes, with twin perforated lug handles on the shoulders - made from applied slabs that were curved to create an opening - for suspension purposes. A rounded base with additional spiraling circles, a flat everted rim, and a deep interior cavity round out the vessel's characteristics, making this a gorgeous and finely crafted example from this very early period. Size: 3.5" W x 2.375" H (8.9 cm x 6 cm)

Although there is very little evidence pertaining to kilns that would lead to a better understanding of firing techniques from the Naqada II period, an interesting article written by Masahiro Baba analyzes the pottery produced at Hierakonpolis to propose a reconstruction of these techniques. See this article entitled, "Pottery production at Hierakonpolis during the Naqada II period: Toward a reconstruction of the firing technique," British Museum Studies in Ancient Egypt and Sudan 13 (2009): 1-23.

Cf. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, accession number 10.176.119; The Brooklyn Museum, accession number 07.447.440; and The British Museum, museum number EA47996.

Provenance: private Marysville, California, USA collection, purchased from Artemis Gallery auction, September 13, 2018, lot 1; ex-East Coast collection, New York Gallery, New York City, New York, USA, acquired before 2010

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#171117

Surface wear and abrasions commensurate with age as expected, light roughness and very minor nicks to rim, lug handles, and base, with light fading to red coloration, otherwise intact and excellent. Great preservation to red motifs throughout.