Figure

Figure is meant to be a replica of an artifact from the archaeological site of the Indus Valley Civilization (2600-1900 BCE), located west of Sahiwal in central Punjab.

Purchased by the donor from the artist at the "Daachi" craft fair in Lahore in 2018. The artist's father, Muhammad Nawaz, worked with American archaeologist Jonathan Mark Kenoyer on the Harappa Archaeological Research Project, to help him understand how ancient pottery might have been made. Nawaz began the project to replicate ancient vessels, in collaboration with Kenoyer, and Allah Ditta continued the work after his father's death.

Small ceramic bird, depicted flying; tail, head, and wings are outstretched. Tall foot extends from bottom of figure, with a concave base. Bird has three-dimensional eyes on either side of its head; incision along the bottom edge of beak, imitating an open mouth. Eyes and top of head are painted black; feather details painted across wings and tail. Artist mark imprinted underneath head. (Tail has broken off.)