Chinese Neolithic pottery was mostly utilitarian or ritual vessels made of clay and generally painted. There are variations in the appearance of these vessels depending on which ancient Neolithic Chinese culture they came from. Neolithic Majiayao/Yangshao vessels come from Henan, Shaanxi, the southern part of Shanxi and Gansu. Yangshao is the village in Henan where the characteristic ware was first identified. This small Neolithic red earthenware pot with handles painted in black geometric motifs comes from the Majiayao culture. The pot shows a fine-grained red body decorated with bold painted geometric designs in black. Much of the impact of these painted designs derives from the Neolithic potters’ skilful exploitation of the pale background colours of their clays as positive elements in their painted designs.