Double-handled jar

Manufactured slightly later than (cat. no. 6), this type of squat jar has been discovered at Guanghe and Jingtai counties, Gansu. The globular body sits on a flat base and the rim is slightly flared. The red spiral design alternating with black saw-toothed bands is a distinctive ornamentation of middle to late period Banshan objects. The spiral and circular motifs were applied first, outlining the entire composition with red, then the black saw-toothed bands were added later. Modern scholars believe that the spiral motifs were a symbol of water or waves in the Majiayao culture.