COLLECTION NAME:
The AMICA Library
Record
AMICA ID:
MIA_.2000.160.1
AMICA Library Year:
2002
Object Type:
Decorative Arts and Utilitarian Objects
Creator Name:
artist unknown
Creator Nationality:
African; North African; Egyptian
Creator Name-CRT:
artist unknown
Title:
Jar
View:
Front
Creation Date:
about 1600 B.C.
Creation Start Date:
0
Creation End Date:
0
Materials and Techniques:
alabaster
Dimensions:
H.23-1/2 x Dia.6-7/8 in.
Component Measured:
overall
Measurement Unit:
in
AMICA Contributor:
The Minneapolis Institute of Arts
Owner Location:
Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
ID Number:
2000.160.1
Credit Line:
Gift of Ruth and Bruce Dayton
Context:
Carved from Egyptian alabaster (calcite), this well-polished wine jar is of exceptional size and elegant proportions. Finely made stone vessels were one of the outstanding achievements of early Egyptian craftsmen. Working with native alabaster, they produced vases and dishes of a quality and simple elegance that were seldom surpassed. Many of these were ceremonial vessels. Placed in tombs, they contained precious substances for the afterlife. King Tut's tomb, for instance, contained over fifty elaborate alabaster jars containing treasured ungents. Ancient Egyptian murals depict jars of this shape being used to store wine and it is most likely that this elongated vase functioned as a ceremonial wine container.
Related Image Identifier Link:
MIA_.21988c.tif
Link To Source
