Milk Vase
Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art
Early Dynasty 18 potters produced vessels with applied clay in the shape of a woman's head, arms, and breasts.
The Ebers Medical Papyrus, a list of remedies and prescriptions composed in the first years of the dynasty, describes the curative powers of breast milk from a woman who has given birth to a male child. According to the papyrus, a person in pain should store this milk in a jar until cream appears and then apply this cream to "all the sick places." A "milk vase" such as the example here may have contained this magic liquid.
MEDIUM
Clay, pigment
DATES
ca. 1539–1479 B.C.E.
DYNASTY
Dynasty 18
PERIOD
New Kingdom
DIMENSIONS
14 3/4 × Diam. 6 1/4 in. (37.5 × 15.9 cm) (show scale)
COLLECTIONS
Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art
ACCESSION NUMBER
14.642
CREDIT LINE
Gift of the Egypt Exploration Fund
CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION
Large whitish buff color pottery jar with pointed base and high cylindrical neck with heavy rim. Female head, arms and breasts in high relief on neck.
Form of vase is typical of the 18th dynasty. The details of the female body in high relief are somewhat unusual. Possibly they suggest Syrian influence through this is improbable. Upper part of body and rim decorated with two brownish-red bands. There is no evidence that vase ever contained anything and object was probably made for funerary equipment.
Condition: Entire surface worn with some incrustation; small holes, probably defects in manufacture on body. General condition good.
EXHIBITIONS
MUSEUM LOCATION
This item is not on view
CAPTION
Milk Vase, ca. 1539–1479 B.C.E. Clay, pigment, 14 3/4 × Diam. 6 1/4 in. (37.5 × 15.9 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the Egypt Exploration Fund, 14.642. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 14.642_PS20.jpg)
IMAGE
overall, 14.642_PS20.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2024
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RIGHTS STATEMENT
Creative Commons-BY
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