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Funnel-Shaped Lid

Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

The Egyptians frequently capped their pottery vessels with hollow, funnel-shaped lids. Some Seventeenth Dynasty potters decorated these utilitarian objects with thick bands of paint, as on the example shown here. These simple designs may have served as markers to identify the vessels’ contents after they had been sealed.
MEDIUM Clay, pigment
  • Place Excavated: Esna, Egypt
  • DATES ca. 1630–1539 B.C.E.
    DYNASTY Dynasty 17
    PERIOD Second Intermediate Period
    DIMENSIONS 4 5/8 x Diam. 4 5/16 in. (11.8 x 11 cm)  (show scale)
    ACCESSION NUMBER 07.447.461
    CREDIT LINE Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund
    CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION One of two hollow inverted funnel-shaped lids, slightly flattening out at base. Light brown clay, covered outside with a pink slip upon which three groups of one white band between two bands of red are painted, very carelessly, showing the pink between each two groups. Apparently complete. Perhaps covers for incense-braziers. Condition: Rim of foot and top slightly chipped.
    MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view
    CAPTION Funnel-Shaped Lid, ca. 1630–1539 B.C.E. Clay, pigment, 4 5/8 x Diam. 4 5/16 in. (11.8 x 11 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 07.447.461. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.07.447.461_erg2.jpg)
    IMAGE overall, CUR.07.447.461_erg2.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 11/26/2007
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    RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY
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