Ancient Near East, Northern Syria or Turkey, Syro-Hittite, Iron Age II, ca. 9th to 8th century BCE. A petite stone libation bowl with a cupped hand relief carved into the underside of the bowl, the tubular neck extending like a wrist / arm with a bracelet. The fingernails are shallow impressions, and other examples of similar bowls have been found with gold foil remains inlaid into the nails! The drilled hole through the neck into the bowl may have extended into a longer handle, enabling this to function as a libation ladle, pouring liquids from a bowl held by a "hand" that was pure and unblemished. This piece may have also functioned as a spout, joined to a larger vessel like a protome. Size: 3.25" L x 2" W (8.3 cm x 5.1 cm); 4" H (10.2 cm) on included custom stand.

For more information about this type of libation bowl and a similar example please see the article "A Lion Bowl From Hasanlu" Expedition Magazine 4.4 (1962) published on the Penn Museum's website.

Provenance: East Coast collection, New York Gallery, New York City, New York, USA, acquired before 2010

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#175773

Fragment of a larger piece. Surface nicks and chips otherwise excellent with clear incised motifs. Light mineral and earthen deposits across surface as shown.