Stirrup-spout bottle with incised designs of felines and serpent heads

The incised design that covers the front part of this vessel represents a quasi-human face on which two very simply outlined heads may be appreciated. Equally stylized are the profiles of animal figures in profile at either sides of the face. Both seem to be felines because of the sharp fangs, clawed feet, pointed ears and the circles dotting their bodies. The piece was fired in a reduction atmosphere, even though it acquired a light gray tone due to exposure to oxygen at some point in the firing process. More than an error, this feature seems to have been intentional because it focuses on the central motif and emphasizes the contrast between the red and white parts of the design. (CD)