Painted Pottery Jar (Banshan Type)
Height: [unknown] cm, Mouth Diameter: 12.8 cm
Discovered in 1975 at Shajingyi, Lanzhou, Gansu Province
Collection of the Gansu Provincial Museum
Features of the Artifact
- Dimensions and Form
- Mouth diameter: 12.8 cm; the height is unspecified, but Banshan-type jars typically range between 20–30 cm in height, featuring a globular body, narrow neck, and often double handles.
- The classic Banshan shape is characterized by a rounded, bulging belly and a constricted neck, with surfaces often decorated in black and red pigments.
- Decorative Style
- Banshan pottery is known for its sawtooth patterns, spiral designs, and diamond-shaped grid motifs, with alternating black and red pigments creating striking contrasts.
- The decorations are usually arranged in horizontal bands, with geometric or swirling patterns dominating the main body, possibly including variations of the iconic “four large circles” motif from the Majiayao culture.
- Craftsmanship
- Made from fine orange-yellow clay and fired at high temperatures. The pigments (e.g., iron oxide for red, manganese for black) were skillfully applied, showcasing the prehistoric artisans’ mastery of brushwork.
