An Egyptian PreDynastic Nile Clay Cylindrical Jar, Pre-Dynastic Period, ca. 3100 - 3000 BCE

Constructed using the coil method, this tall slender jar of cylindrical form was built by hand using an orange-pink marl clay fabric. The fine, hand-smoothed surface of the vessel features an encircling groove imitating scallops or cord below a wide mouth ringed by a short, everted rim. Wavy-handled jars such as this example occupy a special place in the history of Egyptian archaeology, for it is from his study of them in the late nineteenth century that Petrie began to piece together the sequence dating system that forms the basis for much of our knowledge of the Pre-dynastic Period. For related examples see: Berman, Lawrence M., "The Cleveland Museum of Art: Catalogue of Egyptian Art" (1999) pg 111 #55, McKissick Museum, "The First Egyptians" (1988) pg 70 #30 and Needler W. "Pre-Dynastic and Archaic Egypt in the Brooklyn Museum" (1984) page 217 no.77. Medium: Nile Clay Dimensions: Height: 11 inches (28 cm) Condition: The vessel is intact and in excellent condition overall, with fine