Pottery and Stone: Experiments in Material and Form

Early experimentation in shapes and material led to some of the most characteristic products of Egyptian craftsmen, from the Predynastic Period (c. 5300-3000 BC) onwards. The designs of stone and pottery vessels borrowed from each other. For example, the ridges that appear on some tall stone vessels copy the shapes in wavy-handled pottery. These changes were placed into a sequence by by the archaeologist W.M.F. Petrie, enabling him to date pottery based on its design.

These pieces all date from the Predynastic period, and are listed, Left to Right;

Pottery Vase (Acc. 9517)

This Predynastic pottery vase has been attributed to Naqada II, and measures 15x12.25cm. It has been designated as 'D'-ware (decorated ware). It is barrel-shaped, with a flat rim and broken tubular handles. The pattern consists of wavy lines in red, and two wavy lines on rim. On the collar are bands of horizontal lines joined by double oblique lines; between these there are rows of zig-zags.

This piece was bought at auction [sale number A5323 (4/2)], it belonged to the Robert deex Rustafjaell collection, and was donated to the Manchester Museum in 1938 by Mrs Charles Rutherston and Mrs R Powell.

Pottery Vase (Acc. 3142)

This vessel measures 27.8x11cm. It is a wavy-handled pottery vase with cord pattern around neck, handmade from Marl Clay fabric (Marl A1), with no special finish (untreated), with a wavy line decoration all around the shoulders of the vessel (at 0,055 mm of the rim). Comparisons; Closed vessel: jar (as W56A). Wavy ware type (W-ware). Slightly slope body. Rim modelled (sort of B6). Flat base (F5).

This artefact was probably from Naqada or Ballas (tomb 71). The number 71 is written on the base. It was donated to the Manchester Museum by Mr Jesse Haworth in 1895.

Travertine Vase (Acc. 5566)

This Predynastic travertine ('alabaster') vase measures 18.8x10.9cm. It has two wavy handles, one on each side, and two holes drilled through near the rim. Examination has revealed traces of oil or fat inside.

It was donated to the Manchester Museum by Mr Jesse Haworth.

Pottery Vase (Acc. 5300)

This pottery vase with flat base and rim, and tubular handles measures 9x6,3cm. Pale red siltware pottery (Marl B), with pattern of dark spots. It has been categorised as 'D-ware',

It is from Gerzeh, Lower Egypt. And has been attributed to the Predynastic Naqada IIIa2 period. It was donated to the Manchester Museum by the British School of Archaeology.

Syenite Vase (Acc. 2413)

This barrel-shaped syenite vase, measures 13.3cm with a diameter of 8.3cm. It has a flat base, flat rim, and tubular handles. The natural bands of the stones are clearly visible.