Ancient Egypt, Predynastic Period, Naqada II, ca. 3500 to 3200 BCE. An opulent serpentine jar boasting an elegant form of an elongated, ovoid body and petite lug handles that sit just below the flared rim. The interior of the body was drilled out using a series of progressively larger drill bits, and traces of the original drill marks are still visible within. Natural white striations travel across the mottled green and gray surface of the stone, gorgeously highlighting the vessel's smooth surface and graceful form. A superb stone vessel of expert artistry! Size: 1.7" W x 3.4" H (4.3 cm x 8.6 cm); 4.1" H (10.4 cm) on included custom stand.

In addition to its striking presentation, this jar represents a technological leap forward for the ancient Egyptians. In the early Pre-Dynastic, artisans hollowed out hard stone vessels using hand-held stone borers and abrasive desert sand. Then, during the Naqada II period (ca. 3600 to 3200 BCE), the invention of copper tubes enabled artisans to drill very hard stones (in conjunction with sand as an abrasive) and create more intricate forms or integral details like the lugged handles on this example. However, copper drills only allowed artisans to drill cylindrical items, and so the hollowing out of bulbous vessels like this one still required use of an elongated stone borer in the form of a figure-of-eight.

Provenance: East Coast collection, New York Gallery, New York City, New York, USA, acquired before 2010; ex-Arte Primitivo, New York, New York, USA

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#175740

Miniscule chipping to handles and a few expected nicks and scratches to surface, all commensurate with age. Otherwise, intact and in choice condition. Impressively preserved with smooth surfaces.