Cup

A straight-sided cup which angles inward about three-quarters of the way toward a flattened bottom. The walls of the cup are very thin and this type of ware has been referred to as egg-shell ware. The fabric is a pinkish beige color. The inside of the cup is unpainted. The details on the outside of the cup are painted in brownish-black and red on an upainted background. The same motif of a red lotus bud shape outlined in brownish-black and tied with ribbons of the same brownish-black color is repeated seven times around the cup. The ornament color is repeated seven times around the cup. The ornament extends from the edge of the cup to about the middle of the cup. Within the cup are remains of a black powdery substance.

Historical period(s)
Meroitic Period, 100 BCE - 300 CE
Medium
Earthenware and paint
Dimensions
H x W: 8.1 x 8.9 cm (3 3/16 x 3 1/2 in)
Geography
Egypt
Credit Line
Gift of Charles Lang Freer
Collection
Freer Gallery of Art
Accession Number
F1907.634
On View Location
Currently not on view
Classification(s)
Ceramic, Vessel
Type

Bowl

Keywords
earthenware, Egypt, lotus, Meroitic Period (ca. 300 BCE - 400 CE)
Provenance

To 1907
Unknown owner, Egypt, to 1907 [1]

From 1907 to 1919
Charles Lang Freer (1854-1919), given by an unnamed individual in Egypt in 1907 [2]

From 1920
Freer Gallery of Art, gift of Charles Lang Freer in 1920 [3]

Notes:

[1] See Original Pottery List, L. 1830, Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery Archives.

[2] See note 1.

[3] The original deed of Charles Lang Freer's gift was signed in 1906. The collection was received in 1920 upon the completion of the Freer Gallery.

Previous Owner(s) and Custodian(s)

Charles Lang Freer 1854-1919

Description

A straight-sided cup which angles inward about three-quarters of the way toward a flattened bottom. The walls of the cup are very thin and this type of ware has been referred to as egg-shell ware. The fabric is a pinkish beige color. The inside of the cup is unpainted. The details on the outside of the cup are painted in brownish-black and red on an upainted background. The same motif of a red lotus bud shape outlined in brownish-black and tied with ribbons of the same brownish-black color is repeated seven times around the cup. The ornament color is repeated seven times around the cup. The ornament extends from the edge of the cup to about the middle of the cup. Within the cup are remains of a black powdery substance.

Published References
  • David O'Connor. Ancient Nubia: Egypt's Rival in Africa. Philadelphia. .
Collection Area(s)
Ancient Egyptian Art
Web Resources
Google Cultural Institute
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