Lot 29A
Pakistan, Indus Valley civilization, Harappa, ca. 3000 BCE. This is a slip-painted terracotta sculpture of a humped Zebu bull with a pot on his head. There is a round hole in the middle of the pot, exposing the hollow interior. Swirling painted designs, with some black and red paint still visible, cover the body of the bull and the pot. The bull's face has carefully carved, clear features, with wide eyes and a slightly open mouth. The designs on the bull's back are particularly well preserved and beautiful, giving an idea of how brightly colored this piece would have been when it was made. The Zebu is the domesticated form of the Asian auroch, who disappeared and was replaced with the Zebu during the time of the Indus Valley civilization. Artistic representations of humped bulls occur throughout the area and it has been theorized by the excavators of Harappa that they symbolize the "leader of the herd", powerful, strong, and virile. It seems likely that this fire ceramic was made in Balochistan, the region of modern-day Pakistan that borders Iran and Afghanistan. Harappan artistic representations of both animals and humans are renowned for their realism at an early date. Size: 11" x 5" x 10-1/2".
This item has been TL tested by Ralf Kotalla Labs in Germany and has tested ancient as described. Provenance: Ex-private southern California collection, acquired before 2000. All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids. #109454
- Condition: Intact with expected patina and faded paint, but designs and some color of designs are clearly visible. Some dirt remaining. The tail, the dewlap, and the tip of one horn have small (<1/2") chips, but otherwise excellent.
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