Bidspirit auction | Ban Chiang Vase, Thailand, 15th-5th

Ban Chiang Vase, Thailand, 15th-5th century BC. - Modeled and incised terracotta. Measures 38 x 12 cm. Important globular jar with a slightly open cylindrical neck and decoration arranged in horizontal registers of sinuous and undulating motifs inscribed within oval reserves. The lower half has a striated texture obtained through repetitive incisions, while the upper part features smooth bands enriched with serpentine designs and engraved parallel lines. The surface retains mineral deposits, erosion, and chromatic variations between reddish browns and dark tones, evidence of its prolonged burial. The decorative composition reflects the symbolic repertoire of the Neolithic Ban Chiang culture, where pottery reached a remarkable formal and ritual sophistication. The alternation between textured surfaces and polished areas creates a refined visual contrast that underscores the piece's plastic balance and its importance within the protohistoric productions of Southeast Asia. 38 x 12 cm.