Lot 1B
Egypt, Pre-Dynastic period, Naqada I, ca. 4000 to 3100 BCE. A beautifully preserved Nile silt pottery vessel from early Naqada I, showcasing the artistry of Egypt's pre-dynastic period. Crafted with a coil-form technique, the ovoid body tapers elegantly to a petite flat base, while the rolled rim frames a deep interior cavity. The vessel's surface is highly burnished in a russet hue, achieved by applying a thin iron-oxide slip. The iconic blackened top, created by exposing the upper portion to smoke in an oxygen-deprived environment, is a hallmark of Naqada I ceramics and reflects the distinct aesthetics of this ancient culture. Size: 6.5" Diameter x 12.60" H (16.5 cm x 32 cm)
Black-top vessels originally rose in popularity during the early Naqada I, a culture which inhabited ancient Egypt during its predynastic period. The Naqada were first described by famed archaeologist William Flinders Petrie; however, relatively little is known about them except that they were focused around the site of El-Amra in central Egypt, west of the Nile River.
Predynastic Egyptian black-topped vessels were traditionally made from silt deposits taken from the Nile river due to their abundance in iron and silica. After the pot had dried but before it was fired, it would first be burnished and rubbed smooth with a small stone to create the pinstripe vertical striations still visible today. An iron-rich slip would then be applied just before firing; when placed in an oxygen-rich environment, the elevated temperatures would create the vessels' signature red-orange hue.
This item has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database and comes with a confirmation letter. This piece is accompanied by a historical report from Alessandro Neri, an international Cultural Heritage expert based in Florence, Italy.
Please note that this piece is a dropship item, meaning that it will be shipping from the consignor's location. All information regarding condition, size, and metal content have been provided by the consignor.
Provenance: East Coast collection, New York Gallery, New York City, New York, USA; ex-property of a central London gallery, acquired on the US art market; ex-New York City, New York, USA collection; ex-Edward H. Merrin Gallery, New York City, New York, USA, from the 1970s or 1980s
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#190244
-
Condition:
- Excellent, with well-preserved burnished surface and distinctive black-top finish.
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