A gorgeous vase of a rounded form that is hand-carved... Lot 31

A gorgeous vase of a rounded form that is hand-carved from alabaster - a bulbous form with an everted rim and tapered body toward a flat-footed base. Most likely crafted in the Egyptian region and then traded throughout the Middle East. The Egyptians were master carvers and used the abundant stone deposits in the Nile Valley and the Eastern Sahara throughout their history to fashion sculptures, vessels, and monumental buildings. Alabaster was a precious material, widely traded in the region from the 4th millennium BCE onward, and if carved carefully, the semi-opaque stone often glowed when backlit. The perfect symmetry of this example demonstrates their skill, and such alabaster vessels were usually personal items and were frequently buried with their owners. Middle East - 1000-600 BC. Provenance: Private Collection, NYC. Dimensions: H: 6 1/2 in., (16.5 cm.) Near Perfect. Signs of age. Two large chips on the rim and one on the body, see photos for reference.