akhenatenator
Pottery Vase in the Form of a Woman
Pottery Vase
Pottery vase in the form of a woman carrying a vessel in each hand, inspired by increased trade in the Mediterranean during the Second Intermediate Period onwards
Tomb W1, Abydos
18th Dynasty
E.2431
***
From www.ashmolean.org/documents/ANTSacklerHandbook.pdf
Case 51 Pottery and the Decorative Arts in the New Kingdom
New Kingdom
18th Dynasty
about 1540–1292 BC
The growing prosperity of Egypt in the 18th Dynasty is reflected in a new fashion for fine pottery, especially miniature forms. Contemporary graves have preserved a range of objects which were probably treasured possessions in life, as well as necessities for the well-stocked tomb. Beautifully crafted vessels were made for personal use, probably as containers for scented oil or cosmetics. Figure-vases were made by shaping the clay in a mould, and covering it with a slip which was polished before firing. Additional details could be added in brown or black paint.
Both wild and domesticated animals were popular subjects for pottery and the decorative arts in general. A cosmetic dish in the shape of a duck, or a kohl-pot adorned with a monkey, made playful references to the natural world, but also related these objects to the imagery of rebirth and sexual attraction.
Craftsmen were inspired by foreign imports as well as traditional Egyptian themes. Ceramic shapes from Greece and Cyprus were copied in pottery or stone. Vases made exclusively for the tomb were sometimes decorated after firing with colourful painted designs recalling the floral garlands placed on wine jars for festive occasions. Another, but less successful, innovation was to coat pottery and stone vessels with a glossy resin similar to that used on painted coffins and walls.
Pottery Vase in the Form of a Woman
Pottery Vase
Pottery vase in the form of a woman carrying a vessel in each hand, inspired by increased trade in the Mediterranean during the Second Intermediate Period onwards
Tomb W1, Abydos
18th Dynasty
E.2431
***
From www.ashmolean.org/documents/ANTSacklerHandbook.pdf
Case 51 Pottery and the Decorative Arts in the New Kingdom
New Kingdom
18th Dynasty
about 1540–1292 BC
The growing prosperity of Egypt in the 18th Dynasty is reflected in a new fashion for fine pottery, especially miniature forms. Contemporary graves have preserved a range of objects which were probably treasured possessions in life, as well as necessities for the well-stocked tomb. Beautifully crafted vessels were made for personal use, probably as containers for scented oil or cosmetics. Figure-vases were made by shaping the clay in a mould, and covering it with a slip which was polished before firing. Additional details could be added in brown or black paint.
Both wild and domesticated animals were popular subjects for pottery and the decorative arts in general. A cosmetic dish in the shape of a duck, or a kohl-pot adorned with a monkey, made playful references to the natural world, but also related these objects to the imagery of rebirth and sexual attraction.
Craftsmen were inspired by foreign imports as well as traditional Egyptian themes. Ceramic shapes from Greece and Cyprus were copied in pottery or stone. Vases made exclusively for the tomb were sometimes decorated after firing with colourful painted designs recalling the floral garlands placed on wine jars for festive occasions. Another, but less successful, innovation was to coat pottery and stone vessels with a glossy resin similar to that used on painted coffins and walls.