High necked bowls such as this first appear in the New Kingdom, although prototypes made of stone existed prior and date to the Third Dynasty. Copper was used extensively in Egypt as it was found abundantly in the Eastern desert and in Sinai. It was a durable material, perfect for bowls, as naturally sourced copper contained arsenic – making it particularly hard.
The hieroglyphic text found on the neck could be an amusing addition, as the bowl could act as a mirror when liquid was added. The distorted reflected image of the viewer could jokingly label them as ‘royalty’.
