Jar with painted decoration
Unknown Artist
ca. 2000–1600 BCE
Medium
Ceramic, paint
Dimensions
3.25 in. (8.26 cm)
Classification
Ceramics-Vessels
Period
Middle Bronze Age
Department
Ancient Near Eastern Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Mrs. Russell Sage, 1916
Accession Number
16.80.9
Art Historical Context
This delicate *Jar with Painted Decoration*, dating to around 2000–1600 BCE, hails from the Middle Bronze Age in the Ancient Near East—a dynamic era of burgeoning cities, international trade, and sophisticated craftsmanship. Standing just 3.25 inches (8.26 cm) tall, this ceramic vessel likely served everyday purposes, such as storing oils, cosmetics, or, reflecting the practical artistry of ancient communities in regions like the Levant or Mesopotamia. Crafted from clay and adorned with paint, the jar showcases early ceramic techniques: the body was probably wheel-thrown or hand-built then fi...