A finely painted terracotta chalice from the Indus Valley civilisation. The vessel features a cylindrical stem with a concave base which expands into a wide, flared body and everted rim. The interior is undecorated. The body of the vessel is enriched with a main register of geometric designs. The register begins with thin horizontal bands followed by a larger row of hatched triangles, and then two horizontal bands. A thick band of pigment, although less visible, decorates the lower part of the cup on the stem. Parts of the pigment have faded from age. Chips to the rim. Earthly encrustation is visible to the surface. Minor scratches and cavities to the surface. The Indus Valley Civilisation extended from what today is northeast Afghanistan to Pakistan and north-west India. It was one of three early and widespread cradles of civilisation along with Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia. At its peak, the Indus Valley Civilisation, which included such sites as Harappa and Mohenjo-daro, may have had a population of over five million, who developed new techniques in pottery, seal carving, and metallurgy. Measurements: W 11.6 x H 9 cm Provenance: From the David Gold (deceased) collection, 1970’s.