A Chinese Neolithic Storage Jar

Majiayao culture or style, earthenware painted in black, brown and red with geometric patterns, small shaped handles flank the lower center of the body, undecorated to the bottom and underside.

13 in.

The Majiayao culture, which existed in today’s Gansu, Ningxia and Qinghai provinces, are best known today for their pottery traditions. Jars made during the Neolithic period were constructed by coiling rolled clay that was then smoothed and shaped into a form with hand tools. Afterwards, a detailed line pattern was applied on the jar using a paintbrush with dark red, black and dark brown pigments. The lower body of the vessels were left unadorned likely because the vessels sat in sunken pits in the ground and only the top portion of the jar would have been seen.

Good estate condition; some minor nicks to rim.