Cup. Ancient Egypt, Middle Kingdom, 2040–1782 B.C.

Cup. Ancient Egypt, Middle Kingdom, 2040–1782 B.C.
Carved and polished diorite.
Provenance: collection of Bengt Söderbergh (1925–2019), Cannes, France.
Intact.
Measurements: 6.5 cm high.

This cup is a remarkable example of the Egyptian stone carving tradition of the Middle Kingdom. Its shape—with a cylindrical base, slightly concave walls, and a widely flared rim—reflects a sober and balanced design, in which the precision of the profile is the focal point of the piece’s formal appeal. Stone vessels played a significant role in the domestic, ritual, and funerary grave goods of ancient Egypt.

Diorite, an extremely hard rock, required a particularly labor-intensive technical process involving abrasion and polishing. Its selection gives the vessel a compact and monumental presence despite its small size, accentuated by the material’s dark hue and natural mottling. The thick, rounded rim, carefully defined, reveals the mastery achieved by Egyptian artisans in carving hard stones.