**Originally Listed At $700**

Ancient Egypt, Pre-Dynastic period, Naqada III, ca. 3200 to 3150 BCE. A red ware cylindrical vessel of the style known as alabastron with an elongated teardrop shape topped by a flared rim. This example's lower body has an incised line below which is a deep red pigment. The neck likewise has incised lines that look like impressions from string being wrapped around it; there are remains of the same bright red pigment there. Size: 2.3" W x 10.55" H (5.8 cm x 26.8 cm)

The term alabastron is Greek with Egyptian origins, and many of the oldest examples are painted white, perhaps in imitation of the stone, but others, like these, simply used the form. These were used to hold perfumed oil; scenes on vases show women using them to apply it after bathing. During the Naqada III period, Egyptian society became increasingly stratified with some extremely wealthy burials. A jar like this one would have been placed into a burial.

Provenance: Ex-Private San Francisco, CA collection

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.

#120052

Repaired around upper body; small chips to rim; expected surface wear.