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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.

Fish vessel

Ptolemaic or Roman Period

304 B.C.–A.D. 364

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 134

The fish represented is the Nile perch (tilapia, or ancient boltí), a beloved form in Egyptian art since earliest history. It's breeding habit of holding its eggs in its mouth until they hatched apparently suggested special powers of fertility, and the fish augured fertility and regeneration.

Fish vessel, Glass — This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Fish vessel, Glass

Fish vessel, Glass

Fish vessel, Glass

This artwork is meant to be viewed from right to left. Scroll left to view more.

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Title: Fish vessel

Period: Ptolemaic or Roman Period

Date: 304 B.C.–A.D. 364

Geography: From Egypt

Medium: Glass

Dimensions: L. 4.9 × W. 3.2 × H. 2 cm (1 15/16 × 1 1/4 × 13/16 in.)

Credit Line: On loan from a private collection

Object Number: L.1997.77

The Met

Egyptian Art at The Met

The Met's collection of ancient Egyptian art consists of approximately 26,000 objects of artistic, historical, and cultural importance, dating from the Paleolithic to the Roman period.