Ca. 3000-2500 BC.
A terracotta bowl with its substantial size, flaring, and deep body resting upon a flat base. While the exterior surface remains impeccably smooth and devoid of ornamentation, the interior unveils a captivating arrangement of intricate decorations. At its center, a prominent roundel is embellished with a stylized cross against a meticulously hatched background. Extending into the cavetto of the bowl, elaborate depictions of two fish unfold, unveiling their symbolic significance within the Indus Valley society. These fish exhibit elongated and slender bodies, meticulously rendered with scales, fins, forked tails, and captivating black-painted heads. Positioned on opposite sides, the fish are separated by the arrangement of concentric circles that evoke the imagery of air bubbles rising to the surface. The composition culminates with a triple band above, accentuated by a serpentine curvilinear motif adorned with hatched detailing. The functional utility of such bowls in the Indus Valley civilization was diverse and integral to their daily lives. With their generous size and deep bodies, these bowls provided ample capacity for holding and serving a variety of food, liquids, or offerings in domestic, communal, or ritual contexts.
Size: L:90mm / W:205mm ; 625g
Provenance: Property of a West London gentleman; previously in a collection formed on the UK/International art market in the 1990s.