Ancient Egyptian Alabaster Offering Table

An Ancient Egyptian Alabaster Offering Table
Old labels to reverse inscribed ‘E.E. Thebes’ and another ‘Egyptian Alabaster Offering Dish Old Kingdom or a Little Later. Found in a Tomb at Thebes. Ex P.E. Negus Collection’
The Label Marked J.D.R. Fryer Collection
Old cracks and museum restoration
Old Kingdom 2686-2181BC
Size: 36cm dia., approx 1.5cm deep – 14¼ ins dia. approx ½ ins deep
Stone offering tables were an important element of an ancient Egyptian private tomb and were unusually placed in an accessible location so that offerings could be brought to it by the funerary priests or the relatives of the deceased. Later the upper surfaces of the tables were carved with the loaves, trussed ducks and vessels required so that the stone carved images could serve as magical substitutes for the real food offerings. Sometimes there were cups, grooves or channels cut into the surface so that liquids such as beer and wine could be poured onto the table and offered to the deceased. This fine early alabaster table of simple design would have functioned with offerings of carefully prepared real food.

Ancient Egyptian Alabaster Offering Table

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ENQUIRIES

+44 (0)7768 236921
+44 (0)7836 684133

enquiries@finch-and-co.co.uk