Egyptian Old Kingdom Granite Offering Plate

Ancient Egypt, Old Kingdom, 3rd Dynasty, ca. 2686 to 2613 BCE. A hefty offering plate of an elegantly minimal form, arduously hand-carved from mottled granite of black, grey, white, fuchsia, and pink hues. The broad dish has a shallow basin surrounded by a thick, sharply beveled rim, all atop a squat circular foot that is integral with the base. While the exterior surfaces exhibit a pleasing texture, the surface of the basin is surprisingly smooth. Based on the form, this dish was perhaps used in a ceremonial context like the sharing of food as consumable 'offerings' to the gods. Size: 6.7" Diameter x 1.7" H (17 cm x 4.3 cm)

A stylistically similar example, of a slightly larger size and from the 1st Dynasty, hammered for GBP 4,700 ($6,132.70) at Christie's, London, South Kensington "Antiquities" auction (sale 8724, April 12, 2000, lot 12).

Provenance: ex-private Pennsylvania, USA collection, acquired in 2012; ex-Medusa Ancient Art, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; ex-private A.G. collection, acquired between 1976 and 1993

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#153425
Condition Report: Repaired from multiple large pieces, with nearly invisible resurfacing along break lines. Minor nicks and abrasions to base, rim, and basin. Light earthen deposits throughout. Old inventory label beneath base.