Egyptian. <em>Relief-Decorated Bowl</em>, ca. 775–653 B.C.E. Faience, 7 5/16 x 7 7/8 in. (18.5 x 20 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 74.98.1. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 74.98.1_SL1.jpg)

Egyptian. Relief-Decorated Bowl, ca. 775–653 B.C.E. Faience, 7 5/16 x 7 7/8 in. (18.5 x 20 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 74.98.1. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 74.98.1_SL1.jpg)

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Can you tell me more about this bowl?

The angle you sent shows a cow with stalks of papyrus in the background. In ancient Egypt, cows were a potent symbol of fertility! One of the most prominent goddesses, Hathor, was often depicted with the head of a cow.

Papyrus stalks were a symbol of Lower Egypt (which is actually Northern Egypt) since they grew there in abundance.

The papyrus plant was linked with concepts of growth and rejuvenation! It's likely the bowl was reserved for use on special occasions given the level of decoration.

I see. Thank you!

Relief-Decorated Bowl

Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

On View: 19th Dynasty to Roman Period, Martha A. and Robert S. Rubin Gallery, 3rd Floor

The base of this bowl is adorned with a lotus flower and the body with a procession of cows, possibly symbols of the goddess Hathor, through a setting of lotus flowers. Although it was once claimed for Dynasty XVIII (circa 1539–1295 B.C.), the vessel is more likely a work of Dynasty XXV It once had a blue-green glaze and is much restored.

CULTURE Egyptian

MEDIUM Faience

GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATIONS

Possible place made: Egypt
Possible place made: Sudan, Sudan (ancient Nubia)

DATES ca. 775–653 B.C.E.

DYNASTY Dynasty 25 (possibly)

PERIOD Third Intermediate Period

DIMENSIONS 7 5/16 x 7 7/8 in. (18.5 x 20 cm) (show scale)

COLLECTIONS Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

ACCESSION NUMBER 74.98.1

CREDIT LINE Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund

CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION A semi-circular faience vessel with a procession of four bulls with lotus thickets around the upper portion. The bottom of the vessel is decorated with a lotus flower. Condition: Most of the blue-green glaze is discolored. Restored.

EXHIBITIONS

MUSEUM LOCATION This item is on view on the 19th Dynasty to Roman Period, Martha A. and Robert S. Rubin Gallery, 3rd Floor

CAPTION Egyptian. Relief-Decorated Bowl, ca. 775–653 B.C.E. Faience, 7 5/16 x 7 7/8 in. (18.5 x 20 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 74.98.1. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 74.98.1_SL1.jpg)

IMAGE overall, 74.98.1_SL1.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph

"CUR" at the beginning of an image file name means that the image was created by a curatorial staff member. These study images may be digital point-and-shoot photographs, when we don\'t yet have high-quality studio photography, or they may be scans of older negatives, slides, or photographic prints, providing historical documentation of the object.

RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY

You may download and use Brooklyn Museum images of this three-dimensional work in accordance with a Creative Commons license. Fair use, as understood under the United States Copyright Act, may also apply. Please include caption information from this page and credit the Brooklyn Museum. If you need a high resolution file, please fill out our online application form (charges apply). For further information about copyright, we recommend resources at the United States Library of Congress, Cornell University, Copyright and Cultural Institutions: Guidelines for U.S. Libraries, Archives, and Museums, and Copyright Watch. For more information about the Museum's rights project, including how rights types are assigned, please see our blog posts on copyright. If you have any information regarding this work and rights to it, please contact copyright@brooklynmuseum.org.

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Not every record you will find here is complete. More information is available for some works than for others, and some entries have been updated more recently. Records are frequently reviewed and revised, and we welcome any additional information you might have.

Download our app and ask your own questions during your visit. Here are some that others have asked.

Can you tell me more about this bowl?

Papyrus stalks were a symbol of Lower Egypt (which is actually Northern Egypt) since they grew there in abundance.

The papyrus plant was linked with concepts of growth and rejuvenation! It's likely the bowl was reserved for use on special occasions given the level of decoration.

I see. Thank you!