Yangshao culture pottery bottle with black-painted salamander motif

This pottery bottle, from the Shilingxia phase of the Yangshao culture, dates back 5,200 years. The black-painted human-headed salamander on its belly is captivating, with a short arm stretching outward, its body covered in check motifs, and its tail curling back to meet its head.

With a small mouth, a flat base, and double handles, the bottle was likely used in sacrificial ceremonies for holding wine or other liquids. It is now a national treasure from the collection of Gansu Provincial Museum.