Central Asia, central Afghanistan, Jam in Ghur Province, Ghurid Dynasty, ca. 10th to 12th century CE. A hand-built pottery vessel with a charming avian-form body resting atop a squat flared base. The ovoid avian body features protruding wings decorated with black-painted checkerboard motifs, a 'feathered' breast and back, a raised head with a conical beak, a thick loop handle, and a 'tail' that doubles as a strainer spout. The base of the tail has several excised pottery gaps to filter out flavoring materials and other sediment from unfiltered wine or beer so that it would be more enjoyable to drink. Size: 8" L x 5" W x 6.25" H (20.3 cm x 12.7 cm x 15.9 cm)

This piece has been tested using thermoluminescence (TL) analysis and has been found to be ancient and of the period stated. A full printed and bound report is available to the buyer upon request.

Provenance: private S.S. collection, Los Angeles, California, USA, purchased from an antique store in Canoga Park, California, USA in 2018

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#151387

Repairs to areas of tail, handle, and head, with resurfacing and overpainting along break lines. Abrasions and nicks to base, body, handle, spout, and head, with fading to original pigmentation, and light encrustations. Nice earthen deposits and traces of original pigment throughout.