Indus Valley Civilization (Harappan Civilization), ca. 3000 BCE. This is an incredible, large, intact, straight-sided pottery jar ringed with depictions of plants, animals, and symbols. This piece was wheel-made, one of the many innovations of this civilization, and looking inside, you can see the coils of clay still evident. The black decorations would have been hand-painted. They depict two large horned bulls and, in a ring near the rim, stylized, antelope-like figures; the bulls are separated by fern-like plants and surrounded by symbols that appear to be from the Indus script. Scholars are still debating whether or not this script represents a language or writing system; it remains undeciphered, mainly what we know of it consists of very short fragments, often on seals. The IVC covered a wide geographic region, from northeast Afghanistan to Pakistan and northwest India, in the basin of the Indus River; key associated sites are the cities of Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro (a UNESCO World Heritage site). Size: 8" W x 7.75" H (20.3 cm x 19.7 cm).

Provenance: Ex-private southern California collection, acquired before 1995.

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#112962

Small chip to edge of rim else excellent; expected wear but artwork is clear.