Turtle Effigy Vessel

This beautiful vessel is a real pleasure to view. Done in a pale orange slip, and carefully incised, the turtle stands before us. He is supported on his front feet and his tail acts as a third support. The hind legs are resting on the tail as if he were scratching, and he looks upwards with an open mouth as if trying to communicate. At the top of his shell, he is carrying a vase, which is carefully incised with decoration in registers. The geometric forms help balance out the piece so that the whole object looks uniform. A vessel as charming, as this is rare indeed and a intimate view into the less strict style of ancient artifacts.