This is an excellent example of black-topped red pottery of pre-dynastic Amratian design. The sides of the vessel are very smooth, expanding toward the rim and tapering toward a narrower, flat base. The exterior is coated with a thin red iron-oxide wash that was burnished to a lustrous finish. The black top is carbon, produced by subjecting the top of the vessel to the actions of dense smoke. The vessel was made by hand using coil construction (the process is still visible on the inside).

Called B-ware by W.M. Flinders Petrie because of their distinctive black rims, black-topped beakers and bowls made of riverine clay are a hallmark of the Naqada Ic-IIb Period. For very similar examples refer: 1) Hayes, William "The Scepter of Egypt, A background study of the Egyptian Antiquities in The Metropolitan Museum of Art" Volume I, Figure 7 page 16; 2) Cleveland Museum "Catalogue of Egyptian Art" 1999 #48; 3) Detroit Institute of Arts, McKissick Museum and the Earth Sciences and Resources Institute of the University of South Carolina,"The First Egyptians", page 52.

Condition:  The vessel is complete with breaks to the rim professionally rejoined.  Areas of the black top shows an superb metallic sheen.  The burnished red surface of the vessel exhibits a fine craquelure where preserved, with minor losses relating to erosion or soluble salt efflorescence.  Exceptional.

Dimensions: Height:   8 1/2"  (22.5cm)

Provenance:  Private Californian collection, acquired in the 1960's and then by descent.