Painted Bowl from Tutankhamun's Embalming Cache

Unknown

ca. 1336–1327 B.C. · Pottery, pigment · Egyptian Art

Simple shallow bowls are a common type of vessel found among equipment placed in New Kingdom tombs. Such forms have a variety of uses and rituals requiring the offering of liquids often used decorated bowls of this shape. Because this vessel comes from Tutankhamun's embalming cache, it most likely had a ritual use. This bowl was reconstructed from a few surviving fragments, the exterior of which had thick bands of blue and red pigment, interspersed with thin black lines. Over many of these bands, an artisan had continued to use black to create a row of hanging lotus petals. On the interior, a circular band of blue pigment encircled a floral decoration. However, only several blue petals outlined in black, some with red details, survive from the original pattern.

Artist

Unknown

Date

ca. 1336–1327 B.C.

Medium

Pottery, pigment

Department

Egyptian Art

Credit line

Gift of Theodore M. Davis, 1909