On loan to The Met The Met accepts temporary loans of art both for short-term exhibitions and for long-term display in its galleries.
Tuff palette
Technical analysis: Ultraviolet-induced visible light luminescence examination, optical microscopy, X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, micro X-ray diffraction, external reflection Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy.
This palette, carved from a light red and buff banded tuff, a type of volcanic rock, is nearly intact except for minor chips at three of the four end points. The long sides curve up creating a trough shape and five evenly spaced holes are drilled into each of the short sides. These holes would have been used for suspension or affixing it to something. Unlike other perforated palettes, this one is unique for having so many drilled holes.
The interior surface bears evidence of an organic deposit rich in fibers.
Sandy MacGillivray, Wendy Walker, Federico Carò, Adriana Rizzo
(1) For trough-shaped palettes, see Getz-Gentle, Pat. 1996. Stone Vessels of the Cyclades in the Early Bronze Age. pp. 88-01, University Park: Pennsylvania State University Press, 1996.
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