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Lot Essay
Modelled human heads, either as separate entities or providing relief decoration as on the current jar are a rare but important aspect of Yangshao Neolithic culture, which Chang Kwang-chih described as having a style that "... consists of plastic art and painting. The former is represented by only a handful of human figurines discovered at few and scattered locations." (The Archaeology of Ancient China, Yale University Press, New Haven and London, 1972, p. 107). In the same volume the author discusses these human representations and illustrates excavated examples (pp. 107-8, fig. 36). Some are also illustrated by J.G. Anderson in 'Researches into the Prehistory of the Chinese', Bulletin of the Museum of Far Eastern Art, vol. 15, Stockholm, 1943, pls. 186-7.
Narrow-mouthed painted pottery vessels with relief human faces have been found at a small number of sites in Gansu and Shaanxi provinces. While the main body of the vessels is usually painted with often quite elaborate designs, the human face is usually unpainted, as it is on the current example. While some belong to the Yangshao culture, examples have also been found belonging to the Majiayao culture. The current example most strongly resembles in shape and decoration a jar of Machang type belonging to the Majiayao culture, found in 1974 at Liuwan, Leduxian, Qinghai province. Although the Liuwan example has an additional relief body attached to the face, it shares with the current example dramatically outlined panels containing a mesh decoration. The Liuwan vessel is illustrated by J. Rawson in Mysteries of Ancient China: New Discoveries from the Early Dynasties, British Museum Press, London, 1996, p. 38, no. 5.
Narrow-mouthed painted pottery vessels with relief human faces have been found at a small number of sites in Gansu and Shaanxi provinces. While the main body of the vessels is usually painted with often quite elaborate designs, the human face is usually unpainted, as it is on the current example. While some belong to the Yangshao culture, examples have also been found belonging to the Majiayao culture. The current example most strongly resembles in shape and decoration a jar of Machang type belonging to the Majiayao culture, found in 1974 at Liuwan, Leduxian, Qinghai province. Although the Liuwan example has an additional relief body attached to the face, it shares with the current example dramatically outlined panels containing a mesh decoration. The Liuwan vessel is illustrated by J. Rawson in Mysteries of Ancient China: New Discoveries from the Early Dynasties, British Museum Press, London, 1996, p. 38, no. 5.