Painted ceramic. Ban Chiang, late Neolithic period
Of striking, almost eccentric form, with a wide tapering mouth similar to that of a chalice. Also the foot tapers outwards below the somewhat squashed body. The lower side of the body offers incised decorations, the upper holds painted ornaments including curvilinear designs. Its colour bears whitish hues with a red base tone. A pattern on the neck was possibly also present, but is no longer distinguishable. A chip on the rim and encrustations.
HEIGHT 14,8 CM
Ban Chiang refers to a culture primarily associated with an archaeological site located in eastern Thailand near Laos, named after a nearby village. The massive burial complex was discovered by the American Steve Young in 1966. Following initial false measurements, terracotta and bronze excavations from Ban Chiang were first estimated to originate from the 3rd to 5th century AD, but the earliest Ban Chiang vessels are now known to be among the oldest terracotta finds ever unearthed. Also found were highly developed bronze tools, yet until today, no signs of a metropolitan center. Ban Chiang is listed under the UNESCO world heritage sites since 1992