Juglet

Art Historical Context

This small juglet presents a rounded, almost spherical body that tapers into a slender neck and a broad, flat rim. A single looped handle connects the neck to the shoulder, while the surface shows a soft, matte blue tone with areas of wear, faint white patches, and visible cracks that reveal its age and careful modern restoration. The object rests on a simple display stand that highlights its compact form and balanced proportions. Created during Egypt’s Middle Kingdom, Dynasty 13, around 1750–1640 B.C., the juglet is fashioned from Egyptian blue, one of the earliest known synthetic pigments. Its modest scale—just nine centimeters tall—suggests it was a personal or ritual item valued for both its color and craftsmanship. As an anonymous work now in the Metropolitan Museum’s Egyptian Art collection, it offers visitors a direct glimpse into the refined material culture of the period, when artisans skillfully combined utility with luminous color.