Ancient Egypt, Late Period, ca. 664 to 332 BCE. A gorgeous cream-colored alabaster bowl with a slight lip below its inwardly-curved rim. The alabaster glows warmly when held up to the light. Size: 4" W x 1.5" H (10.2 cm x 3.8 cm)

Alabaster was quarried along the length of the Nile, from Giza to just south of Luxor. Offering bowls like these were used in temples and placed in the tombs of people at all class levels. For example, Auguste Mariette, the famous French Egyptologist of the 19th century, found a cemetery for the poor in Memphis where the dead had been buried without wrappings only three feet below the ground - but each had a small alabaster bowl and some animal bones, as they had been given food and drink for the afterlife. Meanwhile, kings were buried with many vessels, often of the highest quality. These vessels were necessary to provision the dead during their time in the underworld.

Provenance: late Allen Davis collection, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA; ex Arte Primitivo Gallery, New York, USA

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#128604

Light surface scoring from age, especially around the rim. Two tiny chips from the exterior surface just below the rim. Overall quite nice condition for its age.