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Marsh Bowl

New Kingdom
ca. 1479–1458 B.C.
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 117
The bowl's interior is decorated with a pool surrounded by blue lotus (Nymphaea caerulea) and papyrus flowers. The underside shows the petals and sepals of an open lotus. These motifs symbolize the themes of fertility, rebirth, and regeneration. Shrines dedicated to Hathor produced large quantities of such bowls, some of which have decoration that clearly symbolizes the goddess; others, like this one, bear patterns that are more general. The bright blue color reinforces the importance of the gift to Hathor, "Lady of Turquoise."

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Marsh Bowl
  • Period: New Kingdom
  • Dynasty: Dynasty 18
  • Reign: Joint reign of Hatshepsut and Thutmose III
  • Date: ca. 1479–1458 B.C.
  • Geography: From Egypt, Upper Egypt, Thebes, Deir el-Bahri, near pit 219, Hathor shrine rubbish heaps, MMA excavations, 1922
  • Medium: Faience, paint
  • Dimensions: H. 9 cm (3 9/16 in.); Diam. 32.2 cm (12 11/16 in.); Diam. of base 8.8 cm (3 7/16 in.)
  • Credit Line: Rogers Fund and Edward S. Harkness Gift, 1922
  • Object Number: 22.3.73
  • Curatorial Department: Egyptian Art

More Artwork

More Artwork
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Marsh Bowl, Faience
Marsh Bowl
ca. 1550–1458 B.C.
Reconstruction of Geometric Decoration, Faience, modern plaster, gold paint
Reconstruction of Geometric Decoration
ca. 1390–1352 B.C.
Drinking Cup, Glassy faience, gold
Drinking Cup
ca. 1479–1425 B.C.
Floral collar from Tutankhamun's Embalming Cache, Papyrus, olive leaves, persea leaves, nightshade berries, celery (?), faience, linen dyed red
Floral collar from Tutankhamun's Embalming Cache
ca. 1336–1327 B.C.
Floral Collar from Tutankhamun's Embalming Cache, Papyrus, olive leaves, persea leaves, cornflowers, blue lotus petals, Picris flowers, nightshade berries, faience, linen
Floral Collar from Tutankhamun's Embalming Cache
ca. 1336–1327 B.C.

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