Vessel with a face

Vessel with a face

The manufacture of stone vessels was a major activity during the Predynastic and Protodynastic Periods. The first stage was to rough out from a block of stone the approximate shape of the intended vessel. The interior was then bored out with the aid of a flint drill, and the exterior was carefully smoothed and polished. The Brussels vessel is distinctive by having two eyes and a nose, representing a human face, and by a conical foot. Examples of this type are rare and all come from tombs. As well as the practical purpose of containing provisions, these vessels also had the function of protecting the deceased in the Hereafter.

Present location KMKG - MRAH [07/003] BRUSSELS

Inventory number E.2326

Dating NAQADA I

Archaeological Site UNKNOWN

Category VASE

Material BASALT

Technique HEWN; POLISHED; UNSPECIFIED STONE-TECHNIQUE; INLAY

Height 31.7 cm

Width 10.9 cm

Bibliography•F. Lefebvre et B. Van Rinsveld, L'Égypte. Des Pharaons aux Coptes, Bruxelles 1990, 16

•S. Hendrickx, Prehistorische en vroegdynastische oudheden uit Egypte - Antiquités préhistoriques et protodynastiques d'Égypte, Bruxelles 1994, 24-25

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