Ai Weiwei – Thirteen Neolithic Vases (2013)

Artist: Ai Weiwei (b. 1957)
Title: Thirteen Neolithic Vases
Year: 2013
Medium: Sculpture — Earthenware with industrial paint
Dimensions: 14 × 13 × 13 cm
Signature: Signed
Provenance:
– Ethan Cohen Gallery, New York
– Private collection, New England (acquired in 2015)
Literature: Illustrated on page 109 of the catalogue

Description

Thirteen Neolithic Vases is a compelling sculptural work by Ai Weiwei, merging ancient craftsmanship with contemporary gesture. The artist’s intervention on authentic Neolithic vessels — coating them in industrial paint — challenges notions of historical preservation, cultural value, and authorship. Through this transformation, Ai Weiwei confronts the tension between heritage and modernity, questioning how societies treat and reinterpret the past.

Each vase, though rooted in millennia-old ceramic traditions, becomes a contemporary object through the artist’s bold chromatic application. The result is an ensemble that provokes reflection on continuity, destruction, and reinterpretation — key themes within Ai Weiwei’s conceptual practice.

This example is signed and carries a strong provenance, originating from Ethan Cohen Gallery in New York and held in a respected New England private collection since 2015. Additionally, its inclusion in the catalogue, illustrated on page 109, reinforces its art-historical relevance and desirability for collectors.

Shipping & Delivery

✔ Worldwide shipping from France
✔ Secure, professional packaging with full insurance
✔ Tracking number provided for safe delivery
✔ Includes certificate of authenticity

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FAQ 

Is this Ai Weiwei artwork an original sculpture?

Yes, Thirteen Neolithic Vases (2013) is an authentic signed sculpture by Ai Weiwei, created using genuine Neolithic earthenware vessels coated with industrial paint.

What materials were used for this piece?

The work consists of authentic Neolithic earthenware vases transformed by the artist through the application of bold industrial paint, a process central to his critique of heritage and modernity.

Does the artwork come with documentation?

Yes, the piece includes a certificate of authenticity, provenance documents, and a reference to its illustration on page 109 of the catalogue.

What is the provenance of this work?

The sculpture comes from Ethan Cohen Gallery, New York, and was later acquired by a private New England collection in 2015 — a strong and reputable provenance.

Is this artwork a good investment?

Yes. Ai Weiwei sculptures involving Neolithic vessels are highly collectible due to their conceptual depth, rarity, and consistent demand on the international market.

Is worldwide shipping available?

Yes, we provide worldwide shipping from France with secure professional packaging, full insurance, and tracking for safe delivery.