A Ban-Chiang jar with very similar decoration is illustrated by Shaw, op. cit., 1987, p. 10 (top right). Early prehistoric Ban-Chiang vessels were usually undecorated or only had simple impressed or incised decoration. Later unglazed low-fired pieces were potted from buff-coloured clay painted with swirling designs, some like fingerprints, comparable with the decoration on the present lot.

US$1800-3000