Egyptian Granite Vessel Fragment with Hieroglyphs Egyptian Granite Vessel Fragment with Hieroglyphs Egyptian Granite Vessel Fragment with Hieroglyphs Egyptian Granite Vessel Fragment with Hieroglyphs Egyptian Granite Vessel Fragment with Hieroglyphs Egyptian Granite Vessel Fragment with Hieroglyphs Egyptian Granite Vessel Fragment with Hieroglyphs Egyptian Granite Vessel Fragment with Hieroglyphs Egyptian Granite Vessel Fragment with Hieroglyphs
Egyptian Granite Vessel Fragment with Hieroglyphs
Egyptian Granite Vessel Fragment with Hieroglyphs
Egyptian Granite Vessel Fragment with Hieroglyphs
Egyptian Granite Vessel Fragment with Hieroglyphs
Egyptian Granite Vessel Fragment with Hieroglyphs
Egyptian Granite Vessel Fragment with Hieroglyphs
Egyptian Granite Vessel Fragment with Hieroglyphs
Egyptian Granite Vessel Fragment with Hieroglyphs
Egyptian Granite Vessel Fragment with Hieroglyphs

Egyptian Granite Vessel Fragment with Hieroglyphs

SKU: HQ.0121

Origin: Egypt
Circa: Late Period, 26th Dynasty, 664 BC to 525 BC
Dimensions: 3" Height x 5.25" Width (7 cm x 12.5 cm)
Medium: Granite

This striking and rather curious object is the curved fragment preserving an edge of a monumental granite vessel. It features hieroglyphs along both the broad front side of the fragment as well as the curved top.  Given the somewhat compact size, the substantial depth and proportion of the object gives us a sense of just how impressive this vessel must have been in it's complete form. Along the flat top, the partially preserved hieroglyphic text reads 'the water with you is to refresh (or revive) the weary one.' This is very likely referring to the deceased, named on the front portion of the fragment as Imsety.

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$4,500.00

with Joseph Khawam & Co., Cairo. René Girard (1923-2015) collection, Paris, acquired from the above 28 April 1969. Brussels art market. Private collection, Belgium. Bonhams, London, Antiquities, 23 July 2020. Private Collection, Colorado, USA.

Significant deposits and some encrustation. Weathering, chips, and losses typical of age. Overall if fine and attractive condition.

Known granite vessels of this size featuring hieroglyphic texts on two faces are exceedingly rare. This fragment was very likely part of a large libation bowl or vessel. Such a libation basin is an example of a well-known, but uncommon category of artifacts dating to the New Kingdom (1539-1075 BCE) and later. Approximately three dozen examples of objects of this type (or fragments thereof) have been collected and studied in detail by Egyptologists.

Concerning their function, it is well-established that liquid offerings were an essential part of Egyptian cult practices, both in tomb and temple settings. Basins for liquid offerings have been found in Old Kingdom (2625-2130 BCE) tombs, and offering tables from tombs dating to the Middle Kingdom (1980-1630 BCE) through the Greco-Roman Period (332 BCE and later) have receptacles for liquids. Water is also ubiquitous in temple cult rituals, used for both purification and as a liquid offering.

To get a better sense of what the complete object may have looked like in it's entirety see 'A libation bowl, 26th dynasty, Egypt,' in the British Museum, object no 1899,0708.167.

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