Egypt, Ptolemaic to Romano-Egyptian Period, ca. 30 BCE to 2nd century CE. A fabulous and finely-preserved jar which has been meticulously carved from creamy honey-yellow alabaster with bands of natural veining coursing throughout the composition in hues of citrine, caramel, and wheat. The vessel has a slender inverted piriform body, a lightly-rounded shoulder below a rounded rim, and a pair of pierced lug handles with flared lower terminals, all atop a planar base. The interior of the jar was drilled out using progressively finer drill bits and copious amounts of abrasive sand, and the remarkable thinness of the walls enable a bright light to illuminate all of the natural banding within. Size: 4.3" W x 7.8" H (10.9 cm x 19.8 cm).

Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection; ex-Arte Primitivo Gallery, New York, New York, USA; ex-Dr. Sid Port collection, California, USA, 1980s

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#146582

Repair and possible restoration to two areas of rim and upper body just beneath rim. Minor abrasions and nicks to body, base, handles, and rim, with light encrustations, and some small excisions. Nice earthen deposits throughout. Old inventory label beneath base.