Ancient Egypt, Late Dynastic, ca. 652 to 300 BCE. Finely carved from a pretty near-translucent alabaster stone with banded inclusions in warm hues of honey and butterscotch. Sitting upon a planar base, this rounded vessel presents a corseted shoulder and a dramatically flared, flat rim surrounding a wide mouth. Hold this jar to the light, and you will be able to appreciate the marvelous translucency of the stone; look inside and find ancient traces of drilling! Size: 3.4" Diameter x 6.5" H (8.6 cm x 16.5 cm)

Alabaster, which is a form of gypsum or calcite - both soft to carve and smooth, was quarried along the length of the Nile, from Giza to just south of Luxor, and the Egyptians made carved alabaster pieces famous throughout the ancient world. 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 that were admired throughout the ancient world. The perfect symmetry of this example demonstrates their skill. The piece was drilled into, and then special tools were used to expand the drilled-upon areas, allowing the walls of the vessel to illuminate when light passes through the stone.

Provenance: private Los Angeles, California, USA collection, acquired before 2000

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#179430

Expected surface wear with some nicks, abrasions, and small chips as shown, but otherwise intact and excellent. Rich encrustations in areas. Old Sotheby's label on underside of base.