Hemispherical Green Stone Bowl
Hemispherical Green Stone Bowl
Perfectly hemispherical and without lip, this bowl is supported by a small circular base in very low relief that does not provide a good balance.
3rd millenium B.C.
H: 7.5 cm
In stock
Product Description
Perfectly hemispherical and without lip, this bowl is supported by a small circular base in very low relief that does not provide a good balance. After a rough modeling of the stone, the vessel was carved using the techniques of stone’s turning and polishing. A tool similar to a drill served to hollow out the interior, while the external shape was achieved employing a lathe. The vessel was then carefully polished for a smooth finish.
Largely widespread in all Near Eastern cultures and made of all kinds of materials, bowls were primarily intended to store liquids, although one can imagine that they would have had various uses. Despite the absence of handles, the shape of the vessel was designed to permit a one- or two-handed grip, depending on its size and content.
In the Near Eastern world, stone vases were considered luxury goods and belonged to high-ranking individuals or to the treasures of sanctuaries: they were used to store valuable materials (ointments, liquids for female toiletry for instance; but also wheat, oils, etc., given the size of the vessel), as ritual vessels for religious cults, as grave goods, etc.
