The pottery of the Majiayao Culture is one of the most distinctive and beautiful examples of Neolithic pottery in China. It is characterized by its bold, geometric designs painted in pigment, as well as its wide range of vessel forms.
The pottery of the Majiayao Culture can be divided into three phases: the Majiayao phase (3300-2600 BC), the Banshan phase (2600-2300 BC), and the Machang phase (2300-2000 BC). Each phase has its own distinctive style of pottery, but all three phases are characterized by their thin-walled earthenware vessels.
The pottery of the Majiayao Culture provides valuable insights into the artistic and cultural development of early China.
Majiayao Phase (3300-2600 BCE)
The pottery of the Majiayao phase is typically decorated with simple, geometric designs in black pigment. Common motifs include sweeping parallel lines, dots, and triangles. The designs are often arranged in bands or registers around the vessel. Some Majiayao pottery also features figurative designs, such as human faces and animal figures.
The most common vessel forms of the Majiayao phase are jars, bowls, and beakers. Jars were used to store food and water, while bowls and beakers were used for eating and drinking. Majiayao pottery is typically well-made and thin-walled.
Banshan Phase (2600-2300 BCE)
The pottery of the Banshan phase is distinguished by its curvilinear designs painted in both black and red pigments. Common motifs include fish, birds, and other animals, as well as abstract geometric patterns. The designs are often highly elaborate and cover the entire vessel surface.
Banshan pottery is also characterized by its wide range of vessel forms. In addition to jars, bowls, and beakers, Banshan potters also produced tripod vessels, lids, and figurines. Banshan pottery is typically well-made, but it is not as thin-walled as Majiayao pottery.
Machang Phase (2300-2000 BC)
The pottery of the Machang phase is similar to that of the Banshan phase, but the designs are often less elaborate and the pottery is not as carefully finished. Machang-phase pottery is also characterized by the use of a wider range of vessel forms, including tripod vessels, lids, and figurines.
One of the most distinctive features of Machang-phase pottery is the use of zoomorphic motifs. Zoomorphic motifs are figurative designs that represent animals. Some of the most common zoomorphic motifs on Machang-phase pottery include snakes, frogs, and birds.
Machang-phase pottery is typically made of a coarser clay than Majiayao or Banshan pottery. As a result, Machang-phase pottery is not as thin-walled or as well-made as pottery from the earlier phases.