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Cup from a Relief-Decorated Chalice

Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

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

When its stem and blue glaze were complete, this vessel would have resembled more closely the blue lotus (Nymphaea cerulia), a symbol of creation, re-creation, birth, and rebirth, presumably because its flowers rise from the water to open each morning. The swamp scene may reflect ideas of the primordial landscape of creation, and some of its elements appear to hark back to the art of much earlier times.

MEDIUM Faience
  • Possible Place Collected: Egypt
  • DATES ca. 1070 B.C.E.–718 B.C.E.
    DYNASTY Dynasty 21 to Dynasty 22 (probably)
    PERIOD Third Intermediate Period to Late Period
    DIMENSIONS Height: 3 7/8 in. (9.9 cm)  (show scale)
    ACCESSION NUMBER 49.133
    CREDIT LINE Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund
    CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Fragmentary body of green glazed cup of chalice type. At base of cup, in relief, petals and leaves of lotus. On major portion of body, in relief, swamp scene; man with Hathor(?) cow, man with lasso and birds in flight. Conventionalized border at top and bottom of scene. Interior of cup plain. Condition: Base missing. Body assembled from many pieces with small section missing near base. Large section of upper portion missing.
    CAPTION Cup from a Relief-Decorated Chalice, ca. 1070 B.C.E.–718 B.C.E. Faience, Height: 3 7/8 in. (9.9 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 49.133. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: , CUR.49.133_NegA_print_bw.jpg)
    IMAGE overall, CUR.49.133_NegA_print_bw.jpg.
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