C. 3rd millennium BC. Ancient Central Asia, Indus Valley. A fine example of an Indus Valley civilisation painted bowl with a hemispherical body and a ring foot in a buff fabric. The interior features aa repeating painted swastika and ibex motif – the ibex can be distinguished by its magnificent curved horns, framed by concentric circular registers and chevrons. The Indus Valley Civilisation was an important Bronze Age culture which arose in c. 3300 BC and lasted until c. 1300, though its heyday, to which this ceramic vessel belongs, was in the 3rd Millennium BC. The ibex is an important motif in Indus valley art because of the animal’s reputation as a hardy survivor and fierce fighter. Cf. N. Satyawadi, 1994. Proto-Historic Pottery of the Indus Valley Civilisation: Study of Painted Motifs, New Delhi. Excellent condition.Size: L:75mm / W:240mm ; 690g; Provenance: From the private collection of a Central London gentleman; previously in a collection formed on the UK/European art market formed in the 1990s;