Ancient Egypt, Predynastic Period, Naqada II, ca. 3400 to 3200 BCE. A hand-built terracotta earthenware vessel of a globular form, the body decorated throughout with red pigment in a series of vertical panels filled with horizontal wavy lines and a wide spiral motif beneath the base. The jar is defined by a rounded base, rounded walls, a slightly flared rim, a deep interior cavity, and twin applied lug handles. A fine and beautiful example from this very early age in Egyptian history! Size: 4.375" W x 2.625" H (11.1 cm x 6.7 cm). Although there is very little evidence pertaining to kilns that would lead to a better understanding of firing techniques from the Naqada II period, an interesting article written by Masahiro Baba analyzes the pottery produced at Hierakonpolis to propose a reconstruction of these techniques. See this article entitled, "Pottery production at Hierakonpolis during the Naqada II period: Toward a reconstruction of the firing technique," British Museum Studies in Ancient Egypt and Sudan 13 (2009): 1-23 at https://www.britishmuseum.org/pdf/Baba.pdf. For a larger example with similarly-arranged linear motifs, please see The Metropolitan Museum of Art, accession number 36.1.127: https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/547300 Provenance: private Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA collection; ex-Sotheby's, New York Antiquities Auction (December 07, 2005, part of lot 27) 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. We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience. #137845