Jar with Spiral Designs
Unknown Artist
3300–2650 BCE
Medium
earthenware with slip-painted decoration
Dimensions
h. 45.2 cm · diam. 39.1 cm
Classification
Ceramic
Department
Chinese Art
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
Gift of Donna S. and James S. Reid Jr. in honor of Dr. Ju-hsi Chou
Accession Number
2004.64
About this artwork
This jar is a spectacular example of painted pottery from the Majiayao culture, one of the regional cultures of prehistoric China. Its geometric patterns are probably abstract symbols transformed from a bird image, which may suggest a clan totem or nature spirits. Archaeological work confirms the coexistence of different regional cultures in ancient China, contesting the old belief that the Chinese civilization originated solely along the Yellow River. The artifacts of these cultures manifest di...