Ancient Egypt, Predynastic Period, Naqada II, ca. 3400 to 3200 BCE. A hand-built terracotta earthenware vessel of a globular form, the body decorated throughout with red pigment in a series of vertical panels filled with horizontal wavy lines and a wide spiral motif beneath the base. The jar is defined by a rounded base, rounded walls, a slightly flared rim, a deep interior cavity, and twin applied lug handles. A fine and beautiful example from this very early age in Egyptian history! Size: 4.375" W x 2.625" H (11.1 cm x 6.7 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 at https://www.britishmuseum.org/pdf/Baba.pdf.

For a larger example with similarly-arranged linear motifs, please see The Metropolitan Museum of Art, accession number 36.1.127: https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/547300

Provenance: private Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA collection; ex-Sotheby's, New York Antiquities Auction (December 07, 2005, part of lot 27)

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#137845

Vessel repaired from two large pieces with small chips and light adhesive residue along break lines. Surface wear and abrasions commensurate with age, small nicks to rim, body, and handles, fading to some areas of pigmentation, and light roughness across most surfaces. Nice earthen deposits throughout.