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.
Marble footed bowl
Technical analysis: Ultraviolet-induced visible luminescence examination, optical microscopy, X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy
The cup is carved from a single piece of fine-grained white marble. The foot tapers upward to meet a curving bowl that flares out to a rounded rim. There are traces of red pigment in the center of the cup as well as a partial ring of pinkish red color identified as cinnabar by XRF. Two large losses and several chips to the rim have been filled and toned. There is also a small loss to the edge of the foot that has been filled and toned. Dark brown, thick calcareous accretions adhere to much of the body especially on the exterior. There are two labels with "246" handwritten in black ink located in the interior and on the shallow footwell.
The shape is well attested in the Early Cycladic II period and has been found in graves sometimes together with marble figures. Although carefully modeled, its handmade nature is particularly evident when seen from different profile views.
Seán Hemingway, Wendy Walker, Federico Carò
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