Egyptian Blue Glazed Bowl with Offerings

Late Ptolemaic-Roman Period, 100 BC–100 AD. A small glazed composition footed bowl containing nine symbolic food items including a gourd, two flat bread discs and spherical fruit. Cf. Friedman, F.D., Gifts of The Nile, Ancient Egyptian Faience, London, 1998, no.179, colour illustration on p.170. Andrews, C.A.R. and van Dijk, J. edn., Objects for Eternity, Egyptian Antiquities from the W. Arnold Meijer Collection, Mainz, 2006, no.3.54, p.241. 55 grams, 52mm (2"). Property of a Dutch private collector; previously with Peter Pelletieri collection, New York, USA, 1970s; this lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by AIAD certificate number no. 10356-167819. In ancient Egypt, the provision of food offerings always had special significance. Statues of the gods were presented with such offerings as well with ointments and perfumes. These supplies were always fresh and prepared with great care. The provision of food was also considered vital for the dead, which is why food offerings were placed in tombs. This bowl contains several coloured faience models, apparently representing different types of food, perhaps gourd, fruit or vegetables, and bread. A parallel for this bowl can be found in a slightly larger fragmentary example excavated by Petrie at Memphis.
Condition Report: Fine condition.