Faience was a popular material for vessels such as bowls, cups, as well as miniature varieties of bottles and beakers. Objects of this type have been recorded in large amounts at sites in Parthia, Middle Assyria, and other areas of Western Asia. They have been discovered in a range of contexts, from administrative centres and capitals to smaller localized settlements, implying that they had a presence and function in many different aspects of society. A small cup such as this was likely intended to hold oils, fragrance, or other cosmetic items. It could have been for personal use or intended as a votive offering.
Mesopotamian Faience Face Cup
£ 750.00
A small rounded vessel with a female face relief. The vessel is ovoid in shape with straight sides and a small flat rim. It sits on three rounded feet, situated at the edges of its flattened base. At the apex of the oval a female face is represented. She has large almond eyes, a protruding brow bone, a triangular nose, a small mouth, and gently curved cheeks and chin. Her hair flows down the sides of her face and onto the front two feet. The figure appears to be wearing a hat or headdress which forms a short upright section around the rim. There are traces of black pigment, which would have added decoration, and a black band can be seen wrapping around the back of the head, and another crossing under the chin, perhaps representing a band or ribbon. The interior of the cup shows further traces of black but is otherwise undecorated.
Provenance: Collected from 1969-1999. From the collection of the late Mr S.M., London, UK.
Condition: Excellent Condition. The details of the face are still clearly visible, including hair strands and eyeballs. Some traces of the pigment remain showing extra decoration. There are some small chips and fine cracks to the vessel, especially around the rim. The faience has chipped off on the feet and some areas of disintegration and unevenness over the surface. The turquoise colour of the faience is visible in some areas but most of the surface has a brownish colour as a result of the age of the piece.
In stock
| Weight | 70.0 g |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | L 5.7 x W 4.4 x H 5.5 cm |
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