Tall Ancient Tepe Giyan Pottery Vessel w/ Birds

**Originally Listed At $1200**

Near East, Iran, Tepe Giyan, ca. 2800 to 1800 BCE. A rare form of bichrome earthenware jar with a large, bulbous body that tapers to a flat base and is corseted at the neck before widening into a flared rim. It is hand painted in dark brown hues on a tan buff ground with a stylized linear design from Tepe Giyan (a tepe or Persian tappeh, "hill" or "mound") around its broad shoulder. The notable motif of the vessel is repeated three times: two birds, back to back, their bodies half-crescent forms and their small heads composed of a single dot for an eye and a long, needle-like beak. Giyan Tepe is an ancient, large archaeological mound site located in Lorestan province of western Persia. Excavations of Tepe Giyan first occurred in 1931-1932 sponsored by Musees Nationaux and the Ecole du Louvre under the directorship of George Contenau and Roman Ghirshman. Size: 9.75" W x 13" H (24.8 cm x 33 cm)

For similar examples, see "The World of Persian Pottery: Gluck Collection" (Tokyo, 1980)

Provenance: private southern California, USA collection, acquired in the 1970s to mid-1980s

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#141059
Condition Report: Neck and shoulder are repaired and restored with some overpainting. Surface has wear commensurate with age. There are very fine root marks around the lower part of the body. Excellent preservation of motifs.