An Indus Valley terracotta chalice with black painted decoration. The chalice has a thick cylindrical foot with a concave hollow base, a wide flared cup body, and an everted rim. Two bands adorn the foot, one thicker and one thinner. The exterior of the cup body features multiple thin concentric bands at the top, and a thicker decorated register below. The register features panels of short vertical lines, alternating with panels of crosses, with further concentric bands above and below. Parts of the pigment have faded from age, or are covered by the earthly encrustations over the piece. There are a few minor scratches and cavities over 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: Circa H 10.3cm x W 11.8cm Provenance: From the David Gold (deceased) collection, 1970’s.