About this artwork
The lug handles on this jar are derived from Egyptian vessels made 3000 years earlier.
Alabaster jars had long been used as donations to Egyptian temples. The large size of this jar made it a very valuable object. Although Egyptian in design and function, the jar is inscribed with a Greek dedication to the twin gods Castor and Pollux, suggesting the vessel was dedicated in a temple in honor of those gods.
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Status
- On View, Gallery 152
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Department
- Arts of Africa
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Culture
- Ancient Egyptian
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Title
- Alabastron with Inscription
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Origin
- Egypt
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Date
- Made 664 BCE–404 BCE
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Medium
- Travertine (Egyptian alabaster)
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Inscriptions
- ∆lO°KOPON “[This is the jug of the] Dioscouri”
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Dimensions
- 27.6 × 30.5 × 30.5 cm (10 7/8 × 12 × 12 in.)
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Credit Line
- Museum Purchase Fund
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Reference Number
- 1911.105
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IIIF Manifest
- https://api.artic.edu/api/v1/artworks/64913/manifest.json
Extended information about this artwork
Object information is a work in progress and may be updated as new research findings emerge. To help improve this record, please email . Information about image downloads and licensing is available here.