Egyptian Prehistoric Foot Bowl

Details

We based this fun replica on bowls from the Egyptian predynastic period, a time that spanned the Palaeolithic to the Neolithic age, then on to the rise of the First Dynasty. It is generally agreed that this era extended from around 6000 to 3150 BCE. 

Amongst the wide variety of pottery vessels produced during this era in Egypt's history are these mysterious bowls supported by human feet. Made from Nile clay, these vessels consist of a simple hand-formed bowl that has been set upon a pair of feet so that the bowl tips forward slightly.

Although we do not know what these prehistoric Egyptian communities used the bowls for, there is a theory that they were designed to hold some form of offering with the bowl tilted forward as if to pour or give the offering. 

This theory is further supported by suggestions that the bowl with feet shows some similarity to the Egyptian hieroglyph meaning "to bring." 

However, as the bowls have come from little-understood contexts, archaeologists have not agreed on an interpretation for their use. 

Slight Second - Bowls marked as seconds have hairline cracks where the foot and the bowl join.  These cracks do not affect the item's strength and are only visible on close inspection.  We have not included a photo as the cracks do not appear on images. Grab yourself a bargain. 

Materials

Terracotta, red slip

Dimensions

Approx. 110 mm tall 120 mm diameter

Production

As with all our Museum Quality Replicas, we have made this pot, as the original would have been, entirely by hand from natural clay and using replicas of the types of tool that the ancient makers would have used. As each pot varies, you may not receive the vessel in the image, but you can be sure that your pot will be one of a kind due to the variations caused by the firing process. 

Postage

We send all items using a second class postal service; if you wish to have an item sent first class, please contact me for a quote. Many Thanks