The burnished black surface of this vessel has been incised with decorative images that allow the terracotta underneath to show through. Etched with a quick, sure hand, the designs depict an abstract animal surrounded by geometric patterns. Though the incised lines are drawn with remarkable assurance, we nonetheless can detect the hand of the artist at work. In spite of its serene shape, there is vibrant movement within this vessel that puts us in touch with the creative energy of the artist. As we hold it in our hands today, we connect directly with the vanished world that made it.