Description: An ovoid funerary collared ‘dummy’ jar in crystalline alabaster. An old shallow side chip and the surface a little weathered, but otherwise condition good and a nice example. The interior only partially drilled.
Size: 68 mm/2.7 ins. high
Culture: Egyptian
Date: Old Kingdom, c. 2686 - 2181 B.C., possibly later.
Provenance: Ex UK private collection but originally collected in the 1930’s by H.G. Ramsell (died 1960) of Wolverhampton. Previously with Bonhams, New Bond Street, London (part of Lot 215, ‘Antiquities’ Sale, 7 July 2016).
Notes: Alabaster jars were expensive and ‘dummy’ jars, only partially hollowed out, were specially made for funerary purposes and were less expensive than furnishing tombs with functional items. Sympathetic magic was considered potent in giving the ‘dummy’ vessels full functionality in the afterlife.
