Ancient Egypt, Late Ptolemaic to Early Roman Period, ca. 150 BCE to 100 CE. A lovely alabastron, hand-sculpted from banded alabaster ranging from a creamy beige to a buttery pale yellow, that glows when held under light. The ancient vessel presents a piriform body with a narrow neck and an annular rim, all sitting upon a flat base. A round, disc-like guard delineates the neck. The shape is elegant, appearing almost like it was poured rather than carved. Size: 1.5" in diameter x 3.5" H (3.8 cm x 8.9 cm)

The Egyptians were master carvers and used the abundant stone deposits in the Nile Valley and the Eastern Sahara throughout their history to fashion sculptures, vessels, and monumental buildings. The perfect symmetry of this example demonstrates their skill. The piece was drilled into, then special tools were used to expand the drilled-upon areas, allowing the walls of the vessel to be thin enough that light could pass through the stone. The alabastron was a very personal item, used for bathing and holding perfume. As a result, they were frequently buried with their owners.

A similar example can be found at the British Museum under museum number 1888,0601.16.

Provenance: private West Hollywood, California, USA collection; ex-private Minnesota, USA collection, active on the New York art market in the 1950s and 1960s

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#167518

Small area of loss on rim. Otherwise, excellent. Great surface smoothness and stone coloration.