Ancient Egypt, late Pre-Dynastic, ca. 4000 to 3100 BCE. An impressive offering dish of remarkable scale boasting an elegant form with a heavy bottom, a shallow basin, a circular rim, and thick walls adorned with incised grooves in a spiraling, starburst-like pattern. About 20% of all Egyptian Predynastic vessels were made from basalt, which is widely distributed throughout Egypt but seems to have been mined in the northern part of the country - for example, the ancient quarry can still be seen at Faiyum, southwest of Cairo. During the Predynastic period, basalt vessels are found in a variety of graves, but during the First Dynasty, suddenly they are found only in elite tombs at Naqada, Abydos, and Saqqara. This plate was likely used to hold offerings in the grave of an ordinary person during this very early phase in Egyptian history. Size: 17.3" Diameter x 2.6" H (43.9 cm x 6.6 cm)

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

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#174705

A few chips, as well as nicks and abrasions, commensurate with age. Otherwise, intact and excellent with nice remaining details.