Art of the Ancient World

JAR
(Upper Egypt, Predynastic Period, 4000-3200 B.C.)
Earthenware with carbonized decoration
Gift of R.C. Ballard Thruston 29.17.15

The peaceful farming communities in middle and southern Egypt, called Upper Egypt, produced jars such as this for use in everyday life. However, these ceramics were also included with ivory and stone vessels, spoons, combs, slate cosmetic palettes, and necklaces of steatite beads in shallow, oval pit graves lined with reed mats. Such grave offerings from this early period in Egyptian civilization clearly indicate that the Egyptians already believed in an existence after death in which articles of daily life would be needed by the deceased.

Made of brown river clay covered with a red slip, diluted clay, and carefully buffed or burnished with pebbles, these vessels have distinctive tops blackened by carbonization in the kiln.

The darker red color on the lower half of the jar was created by treating the surface with slip, or liquid clay, dyed red. Soot was allowed to accumulate during the firing process, in order to produce the black top. The jar was then burnished with a smooth stone to create a shiny surface.

The combination of red and black may symbolize the geography of the Nile. The arid red of the desert contrasts with the dark fertile soil of the river valley that gave life to the ancient Egyptians