LARGE EGYPTIAN CALCITE-ALABASTER FOOTED VESSEL WITH LUG HANDLES

Late Old Kingdom, ca. 2400 - 2200 BC. A large calcite-alabaster footed vessel, carved from pale and subtly translucent stone, with an elongated body tapering towards a tall stem and broad circular foot. The upper body is furnished with a pair of opposed vestigial lug handles and rises to a short flaring neck with a thick projecting rim. Its carefully balanced profile combines the suspension lugs of early Egyptian stone containers with the tall foot and everted mouth characteristic of ceremonial and luxury vessels. Such containers were intended for precious oils, unguents or offerings and formed part of the highly developed Egyptian tradition of stone-vessel manufacture. Size: 205mm x 75mm; Weight: 1kg Provenance: Private London collection; acquired in Belgium; formerly in a German private collection before 2000.

Estimate:£200

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