Old Kingdom Alabaster Libation Jar

Baron Edouard Jean Empain (1852-1929), France. Collection of Baron Edouard Jean Empain; Antiquities, Christie's, London, 14 April 2011, lot 10.

Intact. With hairline cracks on the exterior and interior and along the spout. Minor surface wear, chips and abrasions throughout.

The 6th Dynasty of Egypt marked a period of creativity in the production of stone vessels. A variety of new, more complex shapes came into vogue including the finely modeled short spout as seen on the present example. Such items were considered sacred objects used in purification rituals to pour liquid offerings, such as water, wine, milk, or oil, to honor and communicate with the gods.

See D. Arnold and E Pischikova, "Stone Vessels: Luxury Items with Manifold Implications" in J.P. O'Neill, ed., Egyptian Art in the Age of the Pyramids, pp. 121-123.