by Century (3)
Open Access
Footed vase with lug handles
Artist: Unknown Egyptian Artist Primary
Date:
4000-3500 BC
4th - 3rd millennium BCE
Dimensions:
4.81 x 3.5 x 2.25 in. (12.22 x 8.89 x 5.72 cm)
Object Type:
Vessel
Creation Place:
Middle East, Egypt
Medium and Support:
Basalt
Credit Line:
Lent by the Yale University Art Gallery, Anonymous Gift
Accession Number:
L2020.05.05
On View:
Bellarmine Hall Galleries
This object dates to the Predynastic period of ancient Egyptian history before the unification of the northern and southern regions into a single country. There is a large body of artifacts from this time period, often found in ancient cemeteries, from which archaeologists can draw conclusions of the Egyptians’ daily lives and cultural practices. Indeed, especially by the Naqada II period (the second of three subsections of the Predynastic era), Egyptians’ stonework had greatly advanced, and they began using materials other than clay for their containers, such as the basalt of this vase. Stone vases such as this vessel are among the rarer
vessels found in Upper Egypt (or southern Egypt), yet were common in Lower Egypt (or northern Egypt). In fact, there is much evidence that stoneware such as the vase in question were made in Lower Egypt and traded in Upper Egypt through routes along the Nile
Given that many ancient Egyptian artifacts, especially vases, are found in tombs, it is likely that this footed vase was a grave good. They strongly believed that the spirit lived after the death of the body, but that the afterlife would closely resemble the world of the living
Because of this burials contained a large number of funerary goods. These items included amulets, cosmetics, clothing, toys, cherished possessions, and food offerings, among others. This footed vase likely held oil, or some other type of liquid for the use of the deceased in the afterlife.
Kerry Kircher '22
vessels found in Upper Egypt (or southern Egypt), yet were common in Lower Egypt (or northern Egypt). In fact, there is much evidence that stoneware such as the vase in question were made in Lower Egypt and traded in Upper Egypt through routes along the Nile
Given that many ancient Egyptian artifacts, especially vases, are found in tombs, it is likely that this footed vase was a grave good. They strongly believed that the spirit lived after the death of the body, but that the afterlife would closely resemble the world of the living
Because of this burials contained a large number of funerary goods. These items included amulets, cosmetics, clothing, toys, cherished possessions, and food offerings, among others. This footed vase likely held oil, or some other type of liquid for the use of the deceased in the afterlife.
Kerry Kircher '22
Keywords
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Amratian
Refers to the period in Upper Egypt from about 4000 to 3500 or 3200 BCE. Works of art include stone maceheads, slate palettes, stone vases, ivory carvings, figurines of various materials, black-topped red pottery, and a red polished pottery sometimes decorated in white slip with linear designs of human or animal figures.
Refers to the period in Upper Egypt from about 4000 to 3500 or 3200 BCE. Works of art include stone maceheads, slate palettes, stone vases, ivory carvings, figurines of various materials, black-topped red pottery, and a red polished pottery sometimes decorated in white slip with linear designs of human or animal figures.
Upper Egyptian Predynastic
Periods, culture, and styles from predynastic times in Upper Egypt, which constituted a political entity separate from the delta region, Lower Egypt.
Periods, culture, and styles from predynastic times in Upper Egypt, which constituted a political entity separate from the delta region, Lower Egypt.
basalt
A dense, hard, dark brown-to-black volcanic igneous rock, consisting of feldspar and mafic minerals such as augite or olivine.
A dense, hard, dark brown-to-black volcanic igneous rock, consisting of feldspar and mafic minerals such as augite or olivine.
fourth millennium BCE
Millennium in the proleptic Gregorian calendar including the years 3999 to 3000 (or 4000 to 3001) Before Common Era.
Millennium in the proleptic Gregorian calendar including the years 3999 to 3000 (or 4000 to 3001) Before Common Era.
vessels
Containers designed to serve as receptacles for a liquid or other substance, usually those of circular section and made of some durable material; especially containers of this nature in domestic use, employed in connection with the preparation or serving of food or drink, and usually of a size suitable for carrying by hand.
Containers designed to serve as receptacles for a liquid or other substance, usually those of circular section and made of some durable material; especially containers of this nature in domestic use, employed in connection with the preparation or serving of food or drink, and usually of a size suitable for carrying by hand.
public domain
Land owned and controlled by the state or federal government. Also, the status of publications, products, and processes that are not protected under patent or copyright.
Land owned and controlled by the state or federal government. Also, the status of publications, products, and processes that are not protected under patent or copyright.
Portfolio List
This object is a member of the following portfolios:
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