Egyptian Porphyritic Serpentine Vessel

In Egypt, the earliest stone vessels discovered can be dated to the Late Neolithic Period (c. 5100-4700 BC). The Ancient Egyptian production of stone vessels was one of the most long-lived industries in the ancient Mediterranean. They were used for domestic, ritualistic, and funerary purposes, for example to hold liquids, oils, cosmetics, or as canopic jars. These stone vessels were made from a variety of stones, both hard and soft, in numerous shapes. Hardstone vessels were considered luxury items and status objects, used by the elite. Serpentine, in particular, was used to make statues, amulets, scarabs, vessels such as vases and cosmetic containers, jewellery, and game pieces. It was a favoured stone in the early history of stone vessel production in Egypt, but its popularity and use declined by the New Kingdom Period.