Ca. 3rd millennium BC.
A small jar fashioned from stone and distinguished by its marbled pattern. The jar boasts a flat base that provides stability, while its bulbous body gently tapers towards the opening, ensuring both an elegant form and practical utility. Of particular note is the exterior ornamentation, which showcases two horizontal registers of concentric patterns meticulously encircling the entire perimeter of the vessel. Stone containers were serving as indispensable vessels for a multitude of purposes. They were used for storing and preserving essential commodities such as oils, and other perishable goods. Moreover, their durable construction made them ideal for long-term storage needs, ensuring the safekeeping of valuable resources. Beyond their utilitarian functions, stone containers in Mesopotamia were also utilized in religious and ceremonial contexts, often serving as offerings in temples or as ritualistic objects in burial practices.
Size: L:50mm / W:60mm ; 130g
Provenance: Private UK collection; From an old London collection formed in the 1990s.