Asia Minor, Yortan Culture or related in Western Anatolia, Early Bronze Age, ca. 2700 to 2300 BCE. A blackware cup with three deep, round chambers, each decorated with incised motifs. A thick strap handle rises from the center, curves, and meets the exterior wall of the cup between two of the chambers, giving the piece a rather phallic look from above. Perhaps made to hold cosmetics or precious spices. Size: 2.75" W x 2.5" H (7 cm x 6.4 cm)

Ancient Western Anatolia is famous for a number of large ruins, most notably Troy (Hisarlik), but many mysteries remain. The Yortan culture are known through a burial site in the valley of Bakir Cai that has not been well-studied. Adults and children were buried, crouched, in large terracotta storage containers; around them were placed a great deal of pottery in the form of jugs, jars, and occasionally bowls, much of it blackware just like this piece. An incredibly rare and well-preserved example from a little-known culture!

Provenance: private Schroeder collection, Boca Raton, Florida, USA, acquired before 1970

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#123983

Intact, with encrustations on lower profile areas and in interior.