Ancient World; c. 1st millennium BC
We have not yet been able to ascertain the specific origin of this piece. It appears to be of alabaster or similar stone and is translucent, though centuries of burial accretions have obscured this. Of pomegranate form, with finely carved vertical fluting. Interestingly, the neck/rim was separately carved. This piece is worthy of further research, and is potentially an important object.

Dimensions

7 1/4" (18.4 cm)


Provenance:
Provenance: The John J. Slocum Collection
Mr. Slocum (1914-1997) collected most of his antiquities while serving as US cultural attache to Egypt in the 1960s. Later, he served as Assistant to the Director of The Smithsonian, was appointed by President Reagan to the Presidential Cultural Property Advisory Committee, and was a Trustee Emeritus of the Archaeological Institute of America. He was a well-respected scholar/collector, whose medieval crusader coins were sold in a single-owner sale at Sotheby's, London in 1997.

Repaired. Restored chip to rim.