Funerary Urn, Yang shao culture, Ma-chang type, earthenware with black and purple painted decor, two handles. Decor unusual in showing two stylized kneeling figures between cross-hatched circles.

Funerary Storage Jar, c. 2300 BCE

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On View in Gallery 204expand_more

The seemingly abstract zigzag designs on the burial storage jar are a stylized version of a human-like stick figure. The neck of the jar in this case represents the head. Built from coils of clay, the vessel relates in shape to the earlier Banshan (2600-2300 BCE) jars shown here, but its proportions are more elongated and its surface is matte and unburnished. Related Machang (2200-2000 BCE) type jars have been excavated in Gansu and Qinghai provinces in northwest China.

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Details
Title
Funerary Storage Jar
Role
Artist
Accession Number
86.43
Curator Approved

This record has been reviewed by our curatorial staff but may be incomplete. These records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.

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Funerary Urn, Yang shao culture, Ma-chang type, earthenware with black and purple painted decor, two handles. Decor unusual in showing two stylized kneeling figures between cross-hatched circles.