Description:

Asia Minor, Western Anatolia, Yortan Culture, Early Bronze Age, ca. 2700 to 2300 BCE. Hand-built, this is a kernos, a collection of connected jars made for holding offerings. Each of the three jars here, which are joined by thick ribs to form a roughly triangular shape when viewed from above, would have originally held a different kind of offering. A high-arching bridge handle stretches from one of the ribs to the lid of one jar, while additional nub handles protrude from the side of each jar. The exterior of each vessel is incised with decorative triangle and crisscross motifs. The kernos form is also known from the Cycladic culture and may have been shared between the two. Size: 6.3" L x 6.1" W x 5.6" H (16 cm x 15.5 cm x 14.2 cm)

The Yortan culture is known, because of a burial site in the valley of Bakir Cai that has not been well-studied as of yet. Adults and children were buried, crouched, in large terracotta storage containers; around them were placed a great deal of pottery in the form of jugs, jars, and occasionally bowls, much of it blackware just like this piece. An incredibly rare and well-preserved example from a little-known culture!

Provenance: private Alta Dena, California, USA collection, acquired in 1973

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#183097

  • Condition: Professionally repaired and restored with break lines and adhesive visible in some areas. Surface wear with nicks and abrasions as shown. Otherwise, nice presentation with good preservation of incised detail and light earthen deposits in areas.

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December 21, 2023 8:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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