Cordiform pot, flat-bottomed with perforated handles

• First Thinite Dynasty
• Egypt
• ca. 2900 B.C.
• Black porphyry
• Height: 15.3 cm, max. diameter: 11.3 cm
• Formerly Josef Mueller collection, acquired before 1942.
• INV. 203-51

Black porphyry, admirably selected for its appearance, is a volcanic rock through which are disseminated white crystals, generally rectangular or square.

In the Nile Valley, the locations of lodes of that substance have not been precisely identified. Nevertheless, it is generally agreed that marble, schist, serpentine, and black porphyry were originally from the Eastern Desert.

Here again, the beholder can only marvel at the perfect execution, patiently pursued with rudimentary tools, especially since these artistic creations had no other objective than utility. Indeed, the notion of art for art’s sake never had currency in ancient Egypt [1].

Published in: Butor and Valloggia 1990, pp. 118 and 131.

• Michel Valloggia
• Le profane et le divin, arts de l’Antiquité. Fleurons du musée Barbier-Mueller, musée Barbier-Mueller & Hazan (éd.), 2008 : p. 315.
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