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Funerary Vessel of the Wab-priest of Amon, Nefer-her, Painted to Imitate Stone

Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

On View: Egyptian Orientation Gallery, 3rd Floor
The Egyptians made both stone and terracotta vessels from earliest times. Stone vessels were more difficult to make and lasted longer than clay ones. Though Nefer-her apparently could not afford a stone vessel, he commissioned an artist to paint this jar to imitate granite.
MEDIUM Clay, paint
  • Reportedly From: Thebes, Egypt
  • DATES ca. 1479–1279 B.C.E.
    DYNASTY middle Dynasty 18 to early Dynasty 19
    PERIOD New Kingdom
    DIMENSIONS 8 1/4 x Diam. 4 7/16 in. (21 x 11.2 cm)  (show scale)
    ACCESSION NUMBER 37.343E
    CREDIT LINE Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund
    CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Brown clay pottery vessel decorated with buff slip painted red brown in imitation of granite or breccias. Painted inscription: “im;hy hr ’Inpw w’b n ;Imn Nfr-hr”. Yellow paint runs over the "Inpw," the bowl with foot in “w’b” and the “hr” in the name. Condition: The handle of the piece has been reassembled from three pieces. Four chips have been restored to the lip. White slip intact except from some wear on the shoulder. Wheel made.
    MUSEUM LOCATION This item is on view in Egyptian Orientation Gallery, 3rd Floor
    CAPTION Funerary Vessel of the Wab-priest of Amon, Nefer-her, Painted to Imitate Stone, ca. 1479–1279 B.C.E. Clay, paint, 8 1/4 x Diam. 4 7/16 in. (21 x 11.2 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 37.343E. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 37.343E_view1_PS2.jpg)
    IMAGE overall, 37.343E_view1_PS2.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2006
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    RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY
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