Lotiform chalice

Unknown

ca. 1479–1425 B.C. · Glass, gold · Egyptian Art

This fragmentary cup, in the form of a partially open blue lotus flower, belongs to a group of glass vessels that belonged to three foreign wives of Thutmose III, the nephew and co-ruler of Hatshepsut. At this time, the art of glass manufacture was relatively new to Egypt, but the shape of the cup is typically Egyptian, suggesting that it was made in Egypt and not imported like another glass vessel from the same group (26.7.1175). The outer surface is engraved with a pattern of lotus petals, one of which is inscribed with the words "The Good God, Menkheperre, given life."

Artist

Unknown

Date

ca. 1479–1425 B.C.

Medium

Glass, gold

Department

Egyptian Art

Credit line

Bequest of the Earl of Carnarvon, 1923