Jar
Unknown Artist
4th century BCE–4th century CE
Medium
Earthenware, slip decoration
Dimensions
16 7/8 in. × 9 1/8 in. (42.9 × 23.2 cm) Diam. of rim: 5 1/16 in. (12.9 cm)
Classification
Ceramics
Culture
Coptic
Department
Medieval Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Rogers Fund, 1925
Accession Number
25.10.20.105
Art Historical Context
This elegant earthenware jar, crafted by an unknown Coptic artist between the 4th century and 4th century CE, stands as a testament to ancient Egyptian pottery traditions during a transformative era. Measuring 16⅞ inches tall and 9⅛ inches wide, with a rim diameter of just over 5 inches, its practical form suggests use for storage or transport of goods like grains, oils, or water—essentials of daily life in the Nile Valley. The jar's surface features slip decoration, a technique where liquid clay (slip) is applied to the unfired earthenware body to create patterns or motifs before final firin...