Holy Land Terracotta Polychromic Bowl

Late Bronze Age, c. 1500 - 1000 BC, Levant, Holy Land

This delicate terracotta bowl from the Late Bronze Age captures the artistry and craftsmanship of the ancient Levant. Sculpted with precision, the bowl features a gently tapering body with sloping sides rising elegantly from a small ring base. The design incorporates a subtly carinated shoulder that transitions into a wide mouth with a sharply incurving rim.

Crafted from buff clay, the surface is adorned with a red-brown slip. A dark brown hue extends over the interior and rim, while the lower part of the exterior displays traces of red coloration, unevenly applied and now softened with time. Adding to its charm, a horizontal black pigment band encircles the top of the bowl, a testament to the polychromatic decoration techniques of the period. This artifact offers a tangible connection to the culture and daily life of the ancient Holy Land, embodying both functional utility and aesthetic elegance. A remarkable piece for collectors of antiquities or enthusiasts of ancient art and history.

Very good condition, the original pigments remain largely visible to the surface, minor chips around the rim. Encrusted rich patina. Size approx. 13,9cm x 14,0cm x 6,0cm.

Provenance: British private collection