Archaeologia Gallery, Montreal Canada, 1970 - 1980s. Medusa Ancient Art, Montreal Canada, 2021. Private Collection, Colorado, USA.
Intact. Very fine condition with mild encrustation to the interior.
Cylindrical jars and cups made of clay and stone were produced from the end of the Pre-Dynastic period through the Early Dynastic period. in later periods this same shape was made in a smaller form in either faience (like our current example) or glass. Bearing the name of Seti I, these two cups certainly come from a place of worship associated with the pharaoh, perhaps from Abydos, the sacred city in which Seti I had built a chapel to Osiris and another one to Sokar. Since the form and color of these ritual vessels were related to their contents, the blue color might have characterized vessels holding water or natron salt. Usually, these small cups, which were provided with a lid, would have contained perfumed oils and unguents for cosmetic or medicinal use, however these products were also very important in the ritual sphere, since they were regularly used during mummification.
For an identical example, see the Miho Museum, Japan, "Jar with Seti I inscription."
GOLDSTEIN S. (ed.), Ancient Glass, Miho Museum, exh. cat. (Shigaraki, 2001), p. 192, no. 18.
CHAPPAZ J.-L. AND J. CHAMAY, Refl ets du divin, Antiquités pharaoniques et classiques d’une collection privée, exh. cat. (Geneva, 2001), p. 70, no. 50.
