The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of April 22, 2026

A bulbous, bird-shaped ceramic vessel tapers to a conical, unpainted tan base. Dark and reddish-brown slip coats the upper section with sweeping, curved bands that enclose intricate grid patterns and teardrop motifs resembling feathers. An off-center, wide neck sits atop the vessel, covered in fine cross-hatching. A small handle projects forward, balanced by a sharp, pointed tail extending on the left, completing the stylized avian form.

Bird-shaped Urn

2650–2350 BCE

Northwest China, Neolithic period, Majiayao culture, Banshan phase

(2650–2350 BCE)
earthenware with slip-painted decoration
Overall: 26.7 x 31.1 x 27.9 cm (10 1/2 x 12 1/4 x 11 in.)
Gift of Dr. Norman Zaworski in honor of Dr. Ju-hsi Chou 2007.276
Location: 241A Arts of Ancient China

Did You Know?

This abstract vessel may be imagined as a bird with feathers painted on the body.

Description

An imaginative shape and abstract curvilinear patterns lend delightful charm to this functional jar. Its fine-grained body has a light reddish color due to the iron content in the clay, achieved by ensuring abundant air in the kiln during the firing. The surfaces were burnished before applying the painted decoration in black and red.
  • “Art of Asia Acquired by North American Museums, 2006-2008.” Archives of Asian Art, vol. 59, 2009, pp. 135–180. Reproduced: fig. 9, p. 143 www.jstor.org
  • {{cite web|title=Bird-shaped Urn|url=false|author=|year=2650–2350 BCE|access-date=22 April 2026|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/2007.276