ClassificationsAncient Egyptian Art

Vase

Place CreatedEgypt, Africa

CultureEgyptian

PeriodOld Kingdom, Dynasty 6

Date2305-2152 BCE

MediumCalcite ("Egyptian alabaster")

Credit LineGift of Mr. L. Richard Plunkett

Dimensions9 1/2 x 4 1/8 in. (24.1 x 10.5 cm)

Object number2005.007.002

Label TextAmong the most renowned products of the ancient Egyptian artisans were elegant vessels carved of colorful and luminous stones. A favorite material was a soft white to yellowish calcite commonly known as "Egyptian alabaster". The stone was roughly carved into shape and then laboriously drilled out with a flint blade and finally polished with different sand abrasives to give the translucent vessel a shimmering surface polish. This large and finely crafted vessel is similar in form to one inscribed for King Pepy and may have come from the same royal workshop.
Exhibition HistoryFrom Pharaohs to Emperors: New Egyptian and Classical Antiquities at Emory, Michael C. Carlos Museum, January 14 - April 2, 2006
MCCM Permanent Collection Reinstallation, 2006 - August 15, 2011
Life and Death in the Pyramid Age: The Emory Old Kingdom Mummy, Michael C. Carlos Museum, September 10 - December 11, 2011
MCCM Permanent Collection Reinstallation, February 2012 - Present
Published ReferencesParke-Bernet Galleries New York, Antiquities (December 4, 1969), 13, lot 56.
Sotheby's New York, Antiquities: Including Property from the Collection of Gustave and Franyo Schindler (December 9, 2004), 125, lot 311.
MCCM Newsletter, December 2005 - February 2006.
Peter Lacovara and Jasper Gaunt, "From Pharaohs to Emperors: Egyptian, Near Eastern & Classical Antiquities at Emory," Minerva 17 (January/February 2006): 9-16.

ProvenanceWith Parke-Bernet Galleries, New York, December 4, 1969, lot 56. Ex private collection, New York, New York. Purchased by MCCM from Sotheby's New York, December 9, 2004.

Status

On view

Collections