299 - A Rare Painted Pottery Human-Head Vessel, Majiayao Culture, Neolithic Period, circa 3300-2000 BCthe pottery vessel with a sculpted human head forming the neck and upper shoulder. The face bears incised linear hair, and closed slit eyes, with pendant tear-shaped painted motifs on the cheeks. The ovoid body is fitted with two small loop handles on either side. The surface is decorated with characteristic Majiayao painted geometric ornament, including horizontal bands, cross-hatching and stepped rectangular motifs in dark brown pigment over the terracotta ground.

A Rare Painted Pottery Human-Head Vessel, Majiayao Culture, Neolithic Period, circa 3300-2000 BCthe pottery vessel with a sculpted human head forming the neck and upper shoulder. The face bears incised linear hair, and closed slit eyes, with pendant tear-shaped painted motifs on the cheeks. The ovoid body is fitted with two small loop handles on either side. The surface is decorated with characteristic Majiayao painted geometric ornament, including horizontal bands, cross-hatching and stepped rectangular motifs in dark brown pigment over the terracotta ground. Human-headed pottery vessels are among the most celebrated and rare artefacts of Neolithic Chinese art, embodying ritual and anthropomorphic beliefs of the Majiayao communities. Comparable examples were sold at Sothebys New York, 28 June 2024, Lot 62; and Sothebys Hong Kong, 25 November 2022, Lot 808. H:36cm [Generally good condition.] Property from a Hongkong Private Collection. Link of detail photos: