Ancient Anatolian Yortan Blackware Vessel

Yortan Culture, Early Bronze Age II, c. 2700–2400 BC, Northwestern Anatolia

An exceptional and rare hand-built ceramic vessel from the Early Bronze Age Yortan culture, this striking piece exemplifies the sophisticated artistry of prehistoric Anatolia. Formed from grey-black clay, the vessel features a stable rounded base, a globular body with sloped shoulders, and a tall, flaring neck terminating in an elegantly everted rim. Four petite knob-like projections emerge from the shoulder, their upward tilt adding both texture and symbolic intrigue.

What sets this piece apart is its meticulous surface treatment: the entire vessel is highly burnished, producing a deep, lustrous sheen, while incised geometric decorations—arched dotted bands encircling each knob—are inlaid with a white pigment that contrasts beautifully against the dark clay. This delicate decoration speaks to both aesthetic intention and cultural symbolism, possibly reflecting ritual or funerary significance.

The Yortan culture, known primarily from an extensive but under-studied burial site in the Bakırçay Valley of northwestern Anatolia, remains one of the more enigmatic Bronze Age cultures of the region. Burials typically involved placing the deceased—adults and children alike—in large terracotta storage jars in a crouched position, often accompanied by finely made pottery vessels such as this one. These black-burnished wares, with their refined forms and stylized motifs, offer a rare and intimate glimpse into the spiritual and daily lives of a long-lost civilization.

This vessel is a superb example of Early Bronze Age craftsmanship and a rare survivor from a culture still shrouded in mystery. It stands as both a valuable artifact and an evocative link to the ancient world of prehistoric Anatolia.

Excellent condition. Intact. Light surface wear and abrasions commensurate with age and use, with root marks and earthen deposits throughout. Size approx. 11,3cm x 8,7cm x 8,7cm.

Provenance: Finnish private collection.

For a similar examples see:

Vessel, The British Museum, Accession Number: 132425                                              (https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/W_1921-1220-49)

The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Accession Number:1983.135.1                               (https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/326713)