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 body of the vessel is enriched with a main register of geometric designs in black pigment. The register begins a hatched band of short, vertical lines framed by two bands on both the top ad the bottom. Beneath is a larger row of hatched triangles, with several bands of black pigment underneath. There is an additional band of pigment at the top of the stem. The inside of the lip features a similar hatched band to that of the body; the rest of the interior is undecorated. Parts of the pigment have faded from age. Earthly encrustations to the surface and signs of wear as consistent with its age, such as minor scratches and chips to the rim, foot, and body of the vessel. The Indus Valley Civilisation was situated on the Indus River and 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) W 13.3cm x H9.4cm Provenance: From the David Gold (deceased) collection, 1970’s.