Egyptian Black Pot
National Museum of Natural History
Wahington DC
![glazed-faience-egypt-pottery-375x500 Glazed Faience Pottery Vessel with two handles Roman Period Egypt](https://www.veniceclayartists.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/315799436_1f885e8e882.jpg)
Glazed Faience Pottery Vessel Roman Period Egypt
Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum in San Jose, California.
History Of Egyptian Pottery : The ancient Egyptians were gifted artisans and pottery was an art where they excelled. Egypt in the pre dynastic period produced pottery of very high quality. Egypt made pottery before building the Pyramids. This is evident from the presence of older hieroglyphic writing with characters which have images of earthen vessels. Pictures of pottery vessels and small pieces of pottery have been found in tombs of the Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Dynasties, contemporary with and after the building of the Great Pyramid. From 3000BC on their pottery was decorated with depictions of animals, humans, boats and various other patterns and symbols. Two main veins of pottery existed during this period, pottery from Nile clay ( red/brown after firing ) and pottery from marl clay ( usually polished to give a lustrous look )
![egyption-ceramica-horus-vessel-320x170 Egyptian Horus falcon ritual vessel](https://www.veniceclayartists.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/egyption-ceramica-32.jpg)
Horus falcon vessel
Ancient Egyptian pottery was originally made for functional reasons rather than for decorative purposes. The different forms of Egyptian pottery had a multitude of applications.. The amphora, in Egypt as in all ancient countries was the most common and most useful vase, and was made in all sizes, from the three-inch oil or perfume holder to the immense jar of three or four feet in height, for holding water, wine, oil, or grain. The reason the amphora vessels had a tapered end was so they could be pushed into the earth and stand on their own when used for storage. The pithos (so called by the Greeks), was an immense tub, cask, or vase of pottery, made in Egypt as in all the Oriental countries. It was used in the household cellar, where meats and provisions were stored. This was sometimes six feet in diameter, always made of coarse unglazed pottery. The later artistic Egyptian pottery was siliceous, ( between earthenware and porcelain ), possessing a fine grain and being able to resist high temperatures. It was generally covered with a thin glaze, colored blue or green by oxides of copper. As Egyptian pottery became more decorated it also became an expression of religious sentiment and an expression of revered symbols.
![ancient-egypt-pottery-500x375 Four Egyptian pots with surface decorations](https://www.veniceclayartists.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/3448643763_4fa7dc4f83.jpg)
Enameled pottery of Egypt : The art of covering pottery with enamel was invented by the Egyptians at a very early date. Steatite (or soapstone, as some varieties are called) is easily worked, and bears great heat without cracking. From this material the Egyptians carved small pieces–vases, amulets, images of deities, animals and other objects–and covered them with green, blue, and occasionally red, yellow, and white enamel, which when baked became brilliant and enduring. Objects in enamelled steatite were known from the very early periods. A small cylinder from the Trumbull-Prime collection, obtained at Thebes bears the cartouche of a king, Amunmhe III., of the Twelfth Dynasty, whose date is placed at about 2000 B.C. The enamel is pale-green, almost white, except in the engraved lines, where, being thicker, it shows more color.
![egpyptian-lotus-chalice-379x446 Egyptian footed blue vessel with lotus decoration](https://www.veniceclayartists.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/42150946482119255_8PWOyR6m_.jpg)
Ancient Egyptian Lotus Chalice 1479 -1353 BCE
( Museum of Fine Arts Boston )
The beauty of the enamel on these pottery objects has been the envy of potters in modern times. The blue has never been surpassed, if, indeed, it has ever been equaled. Objects three thousand years old retain the splendor of their original color; and this leads to the inference that the variety of the shades of blue found on them is not the result of time, but the original intent of the makers. These shades vary from the most intense bleu-de-roi and pure turquoise to pale-blue tints approaching white. The color is usually remarkably uniform on the object. Several of the rare colors of old Chinese porcelain are thus found in ancient Egyptian enamels. The same enamel was occasionally applied to soft pottery. The Egyptians were the first to employ the potters wheel ( hand turned ) and some believe they were the first to implement glazing. They are also credited with being the first to use crockery ware ( 1500 BC ) .
Covering pottery with enamel was invented by the Egyptians at a very early date. Steatite (or soapstone, as some varieties are called) is easily worked, and bears great heat without cracking. Many small carved objects were covered with green, blue, and occasionally red, yellow, and white enamel, which when baked became brilliant and enduring.
![egyptian-pots-louvre-450x422 Egyptian Pottery , Louvre, Paris](https://www.veniceclayartists.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/Egypte_louvre_145_pots.jpg)
Hand painted Egyptian pottery
![egyptian-green-ceramic-vessel-louvre-368x599 Egyotian green ceramic vessel, Louvre](https://www.veniceclayartists.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/368px-Egypte_louvre_241_pot.jpg)
- Ancient Egyptian faience – Louvre, Paris
![egyptian -cobalt-blue-glaze-louvre-375x500 Egyptian cobalt blue glaze pottery](https://www.veniceclayartists.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/4208874146_83452bcd132.jpg)
Egyptian cobalt blue glaze vessel , Louvre
![ancient-egyptian-pottery-379x508 Egypt pot with spiral motif](https://www.veniceclayartists.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/3191161995_6d41f027c91.jpg)
Egyptian pot with spiral motif
![chalice-shaped-lily-siliceous faience-louvre-423x600 Egyptian Chalice Lourve with lotus decoration 22nd Dynasty, 945-715 BC](https://www.veniceclayartists.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/423px-Louvre_calice_forme_n.jpg)
Egyptian Lotus Chalice (siliceous faience)
22nd Dynasty, 945-715 BC Louvre
![egypte-hieroglyphic-pot-louvre-435x600 Egyptian pottery with hiroglyphics, Lourve](https://www.veniceclayartists.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/435px-Egypte_louvre_182.jpg)
The vase reads, center line, then left, then right, top to bottom: center :
The good god, Nebmaatre, given life; left: the son of Re, Amenhotep, Ruler of (Wast-Uast)(Thebes), eternally; right: the king’s great wife, Tiye
( Louvre Paris )
![egypte_louvre_pot-361x599 Egyptian Pottery with hieroglyphics](https://www.veniceclayartists.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/361px-Egypte_louvre_232_pot.jpg)
Egyptian pottery with hieroglyphs
![ancinet-egyptian-pottery-00x600 faience Egyptian pottery with raised relief decoration](https://www.veniceclayartists.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/400px-DSC00106_-_Vaso_egizi.jpg)
Raised relief decoration faience pottery, Egypt
![neolithic-egyptian-pottery-bird-450x337 neolithic-egyptian-pottery-bird](https://www.veniceclayartists.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/bird.jpg)
Neolithic Egyptian pottery bird
![sovereign's-sphinx-Amenothep-III-statue-379x544 blue Sphinx Amenothep-III ceramic statue](https://www.veniceclayartists.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/Untitled-1375.jpg)
The sovereign’s sphinx Amenothep III bidder to the gods
![louvre-egyptian-faience-hippo-450x338 Egyptian blue faience-hippo figurine with surface decorations with Eye Of Horus](https://www.veniceclayartists.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/louvreFaienceHippo.jpg)
Faience hippopotamus, Middle Kingdom, Dynasty 11-12
In ancient Egypt blue (irtyu) was the colour of the heavens and hence represented the universe.
![louvre-egyptian-pots-500x335 Egyptian Pots at the Lourve with geometric styling](https://www.veniceclayartists.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/3468967859_0d65f4b442.jpg)
Egyptian pitchers with geometric decoration
Louvre, Paris
![isis-figurine-egypt-475x931 Egyptian Isis Ceramic Statue](https://www.veniceclayartists.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/ts1.jpg)
Woman with child. Terracotta phial, New Kingdom (16th-11th BCE), Egypt.
Musée du Louvre
![egyptian-blue-bowl-464x477 Ancient Egyptian Bowl in blue faience with drawn image of a woman](https://www.veniceclayartists.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/08010932.jpg)
Musician. Blue faience glaze bowl (about 1300 BCE), 19th Dynasty, New Kingdom, Egypt.
![blue-egyptian-ceramic-ushebti-475x747 Blue Ushebti figure of Pharaoh Seti I](https://www.veniceclayartists.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/080119091.jpg)
Ushebti figure (servant of the defunct) of Pharaoh Seti I (1301-1290 BCE).19th dynasty. Blue faience. N 472
Louvre, Departement des Antiquites Egyptiennes, Paris, France
![Egyptiam-horus-eye Eye of horus----gold with inlays pendant](https://www.veniceclayartists.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/eye-horus-.jpg)
Ouadjet eye, the Sacred Eye of Horus
Cairo Egyptian Museum
![egyptian-terracotta-pot -473x605 Egyptian-terracotta-pot with geometric surface pattern and twin lugs](https://www.veniceclayartists.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/Travel-the-world-through-We.jpg)
Egyptian pot with a carved repetitive geometrical surface.
![egyptian-Faience-amulet-477x762 Egyptian Amulet faience ankar](https://www.veniceclayartists.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/03010168.jpg)
Faience amulet in the shape of an ankh, 25th dynasty to Late Period, about 700-500 BCE.
It represents a wish, probably for the king, of ” life, power and stability for millions of years “.
The amulet was acquired by Lord Kitchener in the Sudan, probably at Gebel Barkal and originated in a temple.
( lessing Archive )
![egyptian-wall-relief-art-477x363 Egyptian Yoga wall relief art of an Egyptian girl doing stretching pose](https://www.veniceclayartists.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/08010931.jpg)
Egyptian Yoga ? wall relief fragment ( Lessing Archive )
![egyptian-long-necked-vessel.-378x482 Egyptian Long necked vessel with spherical base](https://www.veniceclayartists.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/KS_034.jpg)
An Egyptian long necked vessel, found at Abydos and dates from the New Kingdom period, ca. 1570 – 1070 BCE.
The ancient Egyptian potters were adept at using different colors of Egyptian paste to create patterns of color on the fired ware.
![egyptian-canopic-jars-475x337 four Canopic jars](https://www.veniceclayartists.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/25-Canopic-jars.jpg)
Ceramic Canopic Jars
![egyptian-bronze-head-455x607 Egyptian-bronze-Pharaoh-head](https://www.veniceclayartists.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/1341466297_19a07ae284_z.jpg)
Egyptian Bronze Head – Louvre, Paris
![king-tut-canopic-shrine-475x333 Canopic Shrine from tomb of King Tut](https://www.veniceclayartists.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/668212390_7ad591f6f3.jpg)
King Tut Canopic Shrine
Museum of Antiquities in Cairo, Egypt
( Hans Ollermann – Flickr )
![osiris-wall-art-egypt-475x594 Osiris wall relief art](https://www.veniceclayartists.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/LESSING_080101_8_P3WM.jpg)
Osiris wall painting in the vaulted tomb of Sennedjem , Luxor, Egypt
( Lessing Photo Archive )
![statue-of-hatshepsut-egyptian-449x571 l44arge kneeling statue of Hatshepsut Flickr Photo Sharing](https://www.veniceclayartists.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/large-kneeling-statue-of-Hatshepsut-Flickr-Photo-Sharing-.png)
Dynasty 18, joint reign of Hatshepsut and Thutmose III – (ca. 1473-1458 B.C.)
From Thebes, originally from Hatshepsut’s temple at Deir el-Bahri
According to the inscription on the base, “Maatkare” (Hatshepsut) is represented here as “the one who gives Maat to Amun”. Maat was the goddess of order, balance and justice. When a pharaoh offered an image of Maat to another deity, it was a reaffirmation that honor was the guiding principle of his/her rule.
The Met, New York
( ggnyc – flickr )
![blue painted terracotta jar-egypt-455x701 Egyptian blue painted terracotta jar decorated with geometric styled flowers and grapes, and a jar lid.](https://www.veniceclayartists.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/Flickriver-Su55-s-photos-t.jpg)
Blue painted terracotta jar decorated with flowers and grapes, and a jar lid. – Tell el-Amarna.
Ashmolean Museum, Oxford
Flickriver–Su55
![carved-faience-vessel-egypt.jpg-475x596 Faience-Vessel-egypt with carved decorations](https://www.veniceclayartists.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/Faience-Vessel-with-process.jpg)
Faience Vessel with procession of four bulls and lotus flowers.
( Brooklyn Museum )
![libation-vase-egypt-371x599 Blue libation vase with flared base, Egypt](https://www.veniceclayartists.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/Libation-vase-bearing-the-n.jpg)
Egyptian Libation vase bearing the name of Thutmose IV.
( Brooklyn Museum )
![pilgrim-flask---egyptian-477x646 Twin handled pilgrim flask -- Egyptian](https://www.veniceclayartists.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/Pilgrim-flask-Egyptian-Ne.jpg)
Pilgrim flask – Egyptian New Kingdom Period 1570-1070 BC
![polychrome-glass-cup-415x623 Polychrome glass cup with handles- Egyptian in blue with overlay yellow decoration](https://www.veniceclayartists.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/Polychrome-glass-cup-New-K.jpg)
Polychrome glass cup, New Kingdom, Dynasty 18. 1370–1335 BCE. Egypt, El-Amarna
![water-bottle-from-tutankham-457x1123 Water bottle from Tutankhamun, Egypt in red and blue with a long neck and flared lip](https://www.veniceclayartists.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/Water-bottle-from-Tutankham.jpg)
Water bottle from Tutankhamun’s embalming cache, New Kingdom, Dynasty 18, reign of Tutankhamun, ca. 1336–1327 B.C
![egyptian-alabaster-vessel-475x425 Egyptian alabaster jar with lid](https://www.veniceclayartists.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/AN-EGYPTIAN-ALABASTER-JAR-E.jpg)
Egyptian alabaster jar
( EARLY DYNASTIC PERIOD, DYNASTY I-III, 2920-2575 BC )
Update 13/5/2014
Jar with male figures Probably late Naqada I – early Naqada II (ca. 3700–3450 BC) Provenance: unknown; purchased in Luxor by Jean Capart, 1909
Ritual vessel (hes-jar) Egyptian, Early Dynastic Period to Old Kingdom,-Dynasty-1–,-2960–2465-B.C
Egyptian, Early Dynastic (Egyptian); Dynasty 2, Squat-jar, 2770-2152-BC
Canopic Jar with an Image Representing the Hieroglyph for Face Period New Kingdom Dynasty-18
Boeotian Late Geometric pyxis with depiction of a lion-fighter
![egyptian-veined-serpentine-vessel-475x506 An Egyptian veined serpentine vessel. Predynastic---Early Dynastic Period,-circa-3200-3000-B.C](https://www.veniceclayartists.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/An-Egyptian-veined-serpentine-vessel.-Predynastic-Early-Dynastic-Period-circa-3200-3000-B.C.jpg)
An Egyptian veined serpentine vessel. Predynastic—Early Dynastic Period,-circa-3200-3000-B.C
![egyptian-painted-pottery-jar-348x512 Egyptian painted pottery jar. NewKingdom-1391-1307-BC](https://www.veniceclayartists.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/AN-EGYPTIAN-PAINTED-POTTERY-JAR-NEW-KINGDOM-LATE-DYNASTY-XVIII-1391-1307-BC.jpg)
Egyptian painted pottery jar. NewKingdom-1391-1307-BC
![egyptian-neo-memphis-situla-475x475 EGYPTIAN-NEO-Memphis-Situla-RELIEF-DYNASTY-XXV-XXVI,-CIRCA-6TH-7TH-CENTURY-BC](https://www.veniceclayartists.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/AN-EGYPTIAN-NEO-MemphisAQUATIC-WITH-FRIED-Situla-RELIEF-DYNASTY-XXV-XXVI-CIRCA-6TH-7TH-CENTURY-BC.jpg)
Egyptian Memphis Situla with raised relief decoration – DYNASTY XXV XXVI
Circa-6TH-7TH-century-BC
![egyptian-andesite-porphry Jar-475x569 Egyptian Andesite Porphry Jar--,-2920-2649-B.C](https://www.veniceclayartists.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/AN-EGYPTIAN-ANDESITE-PORPHYRY-JAR-EARLY-DYNASTIC-PERIOD-DYNASTY-I-II-2920-2649-B.C.jpg)
Egyptian Andesite Porphry Jar – 2920-2649-B.C
![calcite-jug-egypt-437x734 Calcite Jug 18th Dynasty,-reign of Tuthmosis III - Amenhotep-III,-1479-1353](https://www.veniceclayartists.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/CALCITE-JUG-18TH-DYNASTY-REIGN-OF-TUTHMOSIS-III-AMENHOTEP-III-1479-1353.jpg)
Calcite Jug 18th Dynasty,-reign of Tuthmosis III – Amenhotep III
1479-1353 BC
![faience--cat--sadigh-gallery--459x577 Egyptian Faience Cat- Sadigh Gallery](https://www.veniceclayartists.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/Faience-Cat-Sadigh-Gallery.jpg)
Egyptian Blue Faience Cat – 26th Dynasty
Sadigh Gallery
![vase-coptic-period-7th-century.-Egypt-457x507 Vase, Coptic period-7thn century.-Egypt](https://www.veniceclayartists.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/Vase-Coptic-period-3rd–12th-century-8th-century.-Egypt.jpg)
Vase, Coptic period-7th century. Egypt
Height 19 inches
The differences between the quality of ceramics owned by the rich and the poor were significant. Pottery found in the environs of the palaces at Amarna and Malqata and therefore sometimes referred to as “palace ware”, was more often than not elaborately decorated or made of beautifully polished marl looking a bit like alabaster, while the crockery in the near-by villages was mostly red earthenware made of Nile mud.
![egyptian-storage-Jar-475x633 Egyptian Storage Jar with floral decorations](https://www.veniceclayartists.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/1f24a4fb11bca796217d38334433c5ec-1.jpg)
Large storage jar with floral decoration Period: Ptolemaic Period Date: late 3rd–2nd century B.C.
![egyptian-blue-painted-ibex-amphora-455x711 Blue Painted Ibex Amphora from Malqata.-Ca.-1390–1353-B.C.,-Egypt,-Upper-Egypt;-Thebes,-Malqata](https://www.veniceclayartists.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/Blue-Painted-Ibex-Amphora-from-Malqata.-Ca.-1390–1353-B.C.-Egypt-Upper-Egypt-Thebes-Malqata.jpg)
Blue-Painted Ibex Amphora from Malqata. Ca. 1390–1353 B.C., Egypt, Upper Egypt; Thebes, Malqata.
This vase is in excellent condition and was found during the excavations of the palace of Amenhotep III
![man-hunting-hippo-pot-egypt-475x333 Bowl with scene of a man hunting a hippopotami-Late Naqada-I–-early Naqada-II](https://www.veniceclayartists.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/Bowl-with-scene-of-a-man-hunting-hippopotami-Late-Naqada-I–-early-Naqada-II-ca.jpg)
Egyptian bowl with a scene of a man hunting a hippopotamis
Late Naqada-I–-early Naqada-II
![horus-sidelock-relief-art--475x665 The sidelock of youth was protective in nature,-inspired by-the young god Horus' hairstyle](https://www.veniceclayartists.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/The-sidelock-of-youth-was-protective-in-nature-inspired-by-the-young-god-Horus-hairstyle.jpg)
Carved relief based on the sidelock of youth which was protective in nature, inspired by the young god Horus’ hairstyle. It involved shaving the head, leaving only a single, plaited lock, sometimes shaped like a S, hanging down on the side of the head which had sacred amulets attached to it.
![egyptian-perfume-vase-394x657 Perfume Vase Egypt,-New Kingdom, late Dynasty 18, ca. 1350-1309 BC](https://www.veniceclayartists.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/Perfume-Vase-Egypt-New-Kingdom-late-Dynasty-18-ca.jpg)
Small perfume vase Egypt. Blue and black petals are arranged like a collar around the neck of this white faience vase.
New Kingdom, late Dynasty 18, ca. 1350-1309 BC
peterjr1961 on Flickr (cc)
![egyptian-pottery-amenhotep-1v-373x560 Reign-of-Amenhotep-IV-Akhenaten-(ca.-1353–1336-B.C](https://www.veniceclayartists.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/Reign-of-Amenhotep-IV-Akhenaten-ca.-1353–1336-B.C.jpg)
Egyptian pot with finely incised surface decoration from reign of Amenhotep IV Akhenaten
ca.-1353–1336-B.C
![tomb-og-menna-wall-art-437x655 Wall relief art of Egyptian woman Tomb of Menna-,-Luxor-,-Egypt](https://www.veniceclayartists.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/Tomb-of-Menna-Luxor-Egypt.jpg)
Wall relief art of Egyptian woman at the Tomb of Menna, Luxor, Egypt
![Egyptian-cosmetic-jar Limestone-Cosmetic-Jar-Ancient-Egypt---Late-kingdom,-18th-Dynasty---notable-for-the-Sha-with-square-tipped-ears-and-stiff-tail](https://www.veniceclayartists.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/Limestone-Cosmetic-Jar-Ancient-Egypt-Late-kingdom-18th-Dynasty-notable-for-the-Sha-with-square-tipped-ears-and-stiff-tail.jpg)
Egyptian limestone cosmetic jar -raised relief of Horus Eye and the Sha with square-tipped ears and stiff tail.
Late kingdom, 18th Dynasty
![Bes-carved-figure Bes-figure-Period--New-Kingdom-Dynasty--Dynasty-18---ca.-1550–1295-B](https://www.veniceclayartists.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/Bes-figure-Period-New-Kingdom-Dynasty-Dynasty-18-ca.-1550–1295-B.jpg)
Bes (cat) figure, hand carved surface decoration
New Kingdom Dynasty- Dynasty 18 – ca. 1550–1295 B.C.
![triple-alabaster-table-lamp Egypt,-New-Kingdom.-Triple-lamp-carved-from-a-single-piece-of-alabaster](https://www.veniceclayartists.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/Egypt-New-Kingdom.-Triple-lamp-carved-from-a-single-piece-of-alabaster.jpg)
Triple carved oil lamp from a single piece of alabaster. It represents lotus flowers growing from a pond
Egypt, New Kingdom.
![Egyptian-pottery-jar Egyptian Jar-with-Was-scepters-and-Ankhs](https://www.veniceclayartists.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/Jar-with-Was-scepters-and-Ankhs.jpg)
Jar from Egypt with Was-scepters and Ankhs
![Shawabti-of-the-Lady-of-the-House Shawabti-of-the-Lady-of-the-House-SatiMedium](https://www.veniceclayartists.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/Shawabti-of-the-Lady-of-the-House-SatiMedium.jpg)
Shawabti of the Lady of the House – Sati Medium
ca. 1390-1352 B.C.E.
Brooklyn Museum
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More ancient Egyptian art HERE ( veniceclayartists post )
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