Near Eastern Elliptical Bowl
Near Eastern Elliptical Bowl
This vessel was carved from a granite pebble with black and white mottling. The elliptical shape of this miniature bowl is unusual and technically hard to achieve.
3rd millenium B.C.
D. max: 6.3 cm
In stock
Product Description
This vessel was carved from a granite pebble with black and white mottling. The elliptical shape of this miniature bowl is unusual and technically hard to achieve, since it would have been difficult, if not impossible, to carve it using a wheel and the rotating technique. Nevertheless, the profile of the body is very accurate and the thickness of the wall is regular. The base is flat but small, and does not provide stability.
The decoration exclusively results from the natural bichromy of the stone.
The purpose of this vessel can only be hypothesized: a small ritual vessel, an ex-voto, a funerary vase, a toy for children, etc. Given their low capacity, such vessels would have contained a liquid or semi-liquid product (oil, ointment, etc.) of a certain size or value.
In the Neolithic period already, stone vessels had a key role in the Near Eastern economies, since they can be found almost everywhere (from Egypt to the Mesopotamian, Iranian or Bactrian worlds), in many shapes, for varied uses, in various dimensions and stones. Stone vases were considered luxury goods and were often found in the tombs of high-ranking individuals and in the treasures of sanctuaries.
