Ethereal Amri-Nal, Indus Valley, Footed Terracotta Bowl, c. 2400 BC

I purchased this from a favorite antiques shop just over the NH border in Vermont, one of the owners of which has a particular devotion to ancient things, and from whom I've bought a few small wonders--as much for my own joy to spend a little time with as to sell, but a seller I am (though I'll be very glad to keep this one.) It is a c. 2400 BC decorated terracotta bowl from the Amri-Nal culture, known for its distinctive pottery, including light buff "fine ware" with linear geometric motifs painted in dark brown and black; this is really a quintessential example. Very thin walled, it is almost translucent, and very light in weight--an ethereal and for me rather magical feeling thing, and I really can never quite wrap my head around the possibility of holding such an ancient thing in my hands. This piece came from a private New England collection, and with an old Pagasi Auction sale slip included. Glorious.

3 1/4" widest diameter x 2" tallest (form has a bit of irregularity to it.) Beautiful ancient condition (!) with a bit of loss to the surface and to the rim, but not much. The foot is just slightly irregular too, meaning a tiny bit of lean depending on how positioned, but most ways it sits and shows square.