Region: Iran: Tall-i-Bakun A, Level III Collection: oim Origin: Excavated by the Oriental Institute, 1932-4 Accession: OIM A20136 Period: Bakun A Period, Early 4th millennium B.C. Materials: Baked clay Dimensions:
H. 21.6cm
W. 30.0cm
Many of the pottery vessels from the site of Tall-i-Bakun in the plain of Persepolis show a highly sophisticated use of negative designs in conjunction with more usual painted patterns. On this bowl, two patterns alternate in rhythmic sequence. One is a painted design of anthropomorphic inspiration with a "head" flanked by upraised "arms" facing both the rim and base of the bowl. The other pattern, which is given in negative by the buff surface of the vessel, consists of a cross and two lozenges.
