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Central Asia, Indus Valley, Harappan / Mohenjo-Daro civilization, ca. 2700 to 2000 BCE. An extremely rare depiction of two hand-built pottery bulls standing abreast atop an integral rectangular plinth. Each animal is shown with fused front and back legs, muscular bodies, nubbin tails, and large humps on the napes of their necks. The abstract zoomorphic faces are comprised of drooping ears, curving horns, pinched snouts, and facial details painted in applied black pigment. Each body is similarly detailed with applied black pigmentation in a series of parallel vertical bands. It is thought that most bulls in Harappan society – as well as representative effigies – were ceremonially ‘killed’ before entering the ground in either votive or funerary contexts. Bulls were symbolically-significant animals in this civilization’s iconography, and were revered for their great spiritual purpose. Size: 3.75″ L x 3.75″ W x 3″ H (9.5 cm x 9.5 cm x 7.6 cm).
This piece has been tested using thermoluminescence (TL) and has been found to be ancient and of the period stated. A full report will accompany purchase.
Condition: Losses to ears, most of tails, and horns on both animals. Small repairs to one ear on one bull. Surface wear and abrasions commensurate with age, chips to base, bodies, heads, and horns, with fading to applied pigmentation, and light roughness across most surfaces. Nice earthen deposits throughout. Old inventory label beneath base.
Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection
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