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. Vertical lines alternate with intersecting undulating lines forming cross shapes. Above the register lies a band of painted vertical lines, framed by horizontal lines, encircling the chalice. A thick band of pigment decorates the top of the cup, below the rim. Parts of the paint have faded from age. Earthly encrustation is visible to the surface. 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: W 14cm x H 10.9cm Provenance: From an important collection of Holy Land pottery formed pre 1988, thence by descent.