Marble spouted bowl

ca. 2700–2400/2300 BCE
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 151
On loan to The Met
This work of art is currently on loan to the museum.
Technical analysis: Ultraviolet-induced visible luminescence examination, optical microscopy


This delicate spouted hemispherical bowl with a horizontal lug handle is complete except for minor losses at the rim and spout. It is carved from very fine translucent marble. Its sides curve up and out from a small, flat base. A gently curved spout is carved at one end of the rim and the shallow horizontal lug is carved opposite it for a balanced pour. This bowl is a very fine marble example of the common Early Helladic and Early Cycladic clay sauceboat vessels used for pouring and/or drinking liquids.(1)


There are dark accretions over the exterior and interior surface.


Sandy MacGillivray and Wendy Walker


(1) See, Getz-Gentle, Pat. 1996. Stone Vessels of the Cyclades in the Early Bronze Age. pp. 109-112, University Park: Pennsylvania State University Press.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Marble spouted bowl
  • Period: Early Cycladic II
  • Date: ca. 2700–2400/2300 BCE
  • Culture: Cycladic
  • Medium: Marble
  • Dimensions: Height: 2 11/16 in. (6.8 cm)
    Width: 5 3/16 in. (13.2 cm)
    Diameter: 5 1/4 in. (13.4 cm)
    Thickness: 3/16 in. (.4 cm)
  • Classification: Stone Sculpture
  • Credit Line: Leonard N. Stern Collection, Loan from the Hellenic Republic, Ministry of Culture
  • Object Number: L.2022.38.118
  • Curatorial Department: Greek and Roman Art