Mee Lee

Unknown

Well

private collection

This "Yangshao Culture Animal-Shaped Earthenware Pot" was produced during the Neolithic period of the Yangshao culture in China (approximately 5000 to 3000 BC) and was excavated from the middle reaches of the Yellow River, including regions of present-day Shaanxi, Shanxi, and Henan. It is a masterpiece that exemplifies the combination of painted pottery art and animal forms. The Yangshao culture is primarily known for its red pottery, adorned with rich geometric patterns, human faces, and fish motifs, serving as a microcosm of early Chinese art, beliefs, and vibrant daily life.

This vessel is made from red clay and features a unique design with three sturdy legs, a rounded side, a slightly flared short spout, and a wide, full belly. Its back is adorned with a handle in the form of a twisted rope pattern. The shape of the vessel takes on an animal form, resembling a small beast: with a protruding short nose (spout), round eyes, and a bulging abdomen, its design exudes a simple, naive charm full of childlike joy. This animal-shaped vessel demonstrates a realistic yet exaggerated artistic style, reflecting the meticulous observation and personification creativity of the Yangshao craftsmen regarding the living beings around them.

This earthenware pot served not only as a container for water or wine, but it also held strong religious, totemic, and protective connotations. In the Yangshao culture, animals were commonly imbued with roles of guardianship, warding off evil, and even connecting with ancestral spirits, making it a precious testament to the spiritual beliefs and aesthetic pursuits of primitive society.

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