Egyptian stone beaker
€3,100
available
Object number
AR3509
| Object: |
Egyptian stone beaker
|
| Material: |
Nicely marbled Egyptian alabaster, calcite type.
|
| Period: |
1st to 3rd dynasty of ancient Egypt, approx. 3032 BC to 2620 BC. Early Dynastic period to Old Kingdom. |
| Description: |
Bulbous beaker with concave walls made of translucent stone. Flat base and lip pointing outwards. The elegant stone vessel has two handles on opposite sides that are pierced as eyelets for cords.
|
| Background: |
The ancient Egyptian stone vessels are made to last. They are the perfect equipment for the afterlife. It is therefore no coincidence that the technology for working very hard and durable rock was developed in predynastic Egypt. The art was perfected over time and stone vessels were not only manufactured for the domestic market, but soon established themselves as sought-after export goods for the entire Eastern Mediterranean. Due to their timeless elegance, the stone vessels are extremely popular to this day and never miss in any important collection of Egyptian antiquities. |
| Dimensions: |
7.8cm height, 8.8cm diameter including handles.
|
| Condition: |
Stable vertical crack through the wall, with a small chip on the lip. Three filling spots on the base, possibly ancient. Overall, the vessel is in excellent condition. Three modern stickers on the underside with the inscriptions "L-15857", "A9/16", and "1969".
|
| Provenance: |
Acquired by us in 2023 on the Swiss art market. Previously in the Swiss private collection of the philologist Dr. F. G. Hieronymus (1930-2022). On 26 June 2000 in auction 2 of the Swiss Jean-David Cahn AG, lot 330. Previously in the Swiss private collection C. On 28 April 1972 in auction 46 "Ägyptische Kunst" of the Swiss Münzen und Medaillen AG, lot 35. A copy of the 1972 catalogue is available and shows the vessel with a photo.
|
| References: |
Cf. C. E. Loeben, Aegyptiaca Kestneriana, Band 1 (2020), p. 71, I.1.
|
| Literature: |
A commendable collection of articles about ancient Egyptian stone vessels can be found in C. E. Loeben, Aegyptiaca Kestneriana, volume 1 (2020).
|
| Authenticity: |
We unconditionally guarantee the authenticity of every artefact, all items are subject to our lifetime return policy on authenticity.
|