The decorated pottery of the late Predynastic Period was called 'D ware' by Flinders Petrie. Made of desert marl clay rather than Nile mud, it produced a light surface on which scenes were painted with reddish-brown pigment. Typical motifs include rows of stylised hills, animals, boats, sometimes carrying human occupants.

This D-ware jar has triangular lug handles and is decorated with two boats carrying standards topped with hill symbols (Naqada, grave 1680).