Mme Marcelle Desurmont-Prouvost (1892-1972) collection, Paris, acquired 1943; and thence by descent to M. H. François-Marsal, Nantes
Rim on one side with two repaired fragments with minor losses along the repair lines and glue residue visible. Very minor worn chips to the rim with a larger flaked chip with dark coloured dirt staining. Minor flaked chip to underside of the bird's beak. Pencil inscribed 'no. 20' on underside.
There are a number of similar bird-shaped vessels dating to the 18th-19th Dynasties, both in alabaster and wood; they were probably used as cosmetic dishes.
For a duck-shaped dish see The Brooklyn Museum, inv. no. 11.665.
