Rare Chinese Neolithic Machang / Banshan Painted Pottery Jar

This unusual pottery jar was made over 4,000 years ago during the Machang Phase (c. 2300 - 2000 BC), or possibly the earlier Banshan Phase (c.2600 - 2300 BC) of the Majiayao culture, also known as the Gansu-Yangshao culture, from present day Gansu or Qinghai province. It is quite thinly-potted and highly-fired, made from a pale yellowish-brown pottery. Joining the shoulder of the wide body to the flared mouth edge are two loop handles that have been decorated with applied strips of notched clay to their surface. The upper body and inner mouth have been decorated in geometric patterns with fired-on mineral-based pigments of two colours, purple and black. The decoration to the body is particularly unusual with a wide band of continuous colour. This decoration and the finely-burnished surface suggest this dates to the earlier Banshan Phase as opposed to the later Machang Phase.

Diameter 14 cm, height 12 cm. It is in fine overall condition with no sign of restoration with just minor chips to the vulnerable rim edge.

This is one of a small group of high-quality Chinese Neolithic painted pottery jars we are currently offering for sale (see final image for the others).

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