Vessel with two handles. Ancient Egypt. Nagada II–1st Dynasty, ca. 3500–2900 B.C.

Vessel with two handles. Ancient Egypt. Nagada II–1st Dynasty, ca. 3500–2900 B.C.
Alabaster.
Provenance: private collection, France.
In good condition.
Measurements: 7.4 cm high.

This vessel belongs to the ancient Egyptian tradition of stone-carved vessels, which had already developed during the Predynastic Period and was perfected in the early Dynastic Period. Its ovoid body, with a gently flattened base and a wide mouth with a rounded rim, is complemented by two small perforated handles arranged symmetrically on the shoulders.

The carving takes advantage of the warm hue and slight translucency of Egyptian alabaster, a material prized for its luminosity and for the quality of the surfaces that could be achieved through abrasion and polishing. The regularity of the profile and the hollowed-out interior demonstrate the technical mastery required to work with a relatively fragile stone without losing the clarity of the form.

This type of vessel could hold oils, ointments, or other valuable substances and is documented in both prestigious domestic and funerary contexts. The perforated handles would have allowed a lid to be secured or the vessel to be suspended by cords. Its refined design anticipates the preference for compact and perfectly balanced forms that would characterize the stonework of Pharaonic Egypt.