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Small bowl/lid

Nubian
Napatan Period, reign of Malonaqen
555–542 B.C.
Findspot: Nubia (Sudan), Nuri, Pyramid 5 (Malonaqen), SE foundation deposit

Medium/Technique Pottery
Dimensions Overall: 5 x 10.5 cm (1 15/16 x 4 1/8 in.)
Credit Line Harvard University—Boston Museum of Fine Arts Expedition
Accession Number20.3987
NOT ON VIEW
ClassificationsVessels

DescriptionCommon in tomb and temple contexts, small vessels such as this example are often called "offering bowls" or, especially due to their small size, "model bowls." In ancient times they could be used for the presentation of offerings at a tomb or temple or as model offerings in and of themselves. They were also employed as lids for jars with mouths of appropriate diameter. Such bowls/lids are most often made of medium to coarse grades of clay. Cord-cut bases and little or no smoothing of the surfaces combine with irregularities in crafting to indicate mass production. The rim of this example is chipped, but it is otherwise in good condition.
ProvenanceFrom Nuri, Pyramid 5 (tomb of Malonaqen), SE foundation deposit. Excavated by the Harvard University–Boston Museum of Fine Arts Expedition; assigned to the MFA in the division of finds by the government of the Sudan.

(Accession Date: August 7, 2006)