INDUS VALLEY TERRACOTTA BOWL WITH GRIFFIN AND BIRD

Ca. 3000-2500 BC
A terracotta bowl adorned with a depiction of a griffin and a bird. It features straight walls and a tapered base, creating a well-proportioned and aesthetically pleasing form. The polychrome painted decoration on the bowl showcases a scene with a griffin and a bird, both intricately depicted. The griffin, a mythical creature with the body of a lion and the head and wings of an eagle, held significant symbolic meaning. It was often associated with guardianship, strength, and power. The bird depicted alongside the griffin may have represented avian diversity or held symbolic associations related to flight, freedom, or spiritual beliefs. Indus Valley ceramic production was characterized by technical expertise and artistic finesse. Skilled potters demonstrated their mastery in pottery-making techniques, evident in the bowl's well-formed shape, smooth surface, and meticulous execution of the polychrome painted decoration. Terracotta, being abundant and suitable for pottery production, was the primary material utilized by the civilization's potters. They employed various methods, such as wheel throwing and hand modeling, to create vessels of diverse shapes and sizes.
Size: L:70mm / W:115mm ; 200g
Provenance: Private UK collection; From an old London collection formed in the 1990s.
Estimate: GBP 200 - 300