Egyptian vessels

The ancient Egyptians were gifted artisans and pottery was an art where they excelled. Egypt in the pre dynastic period produced pottery of very high quality. Egypt made pottery before building the Pyramids.

From 3000BC on their pottery was decorated with depictions of animals, humans, boats and various other patterns and symbols. Two main veins of pottery existed during this period, pottery from Nile clay ( red/brown after firing ) and pottery from marl clay ( usually polished to give a lustrous look

Ancient Egyptian pottery was originally made for functional reasons rather than for decorative purposes. The different forms of Egyptian pottery had a multitude of applications..

The amphora, in Egypt as in all ancient countries was the most common and most useful vase, and was made in all sizes, from the three-inch oil or perfume holder to the immense jar of three or four feet in height, for holding water, wine, oil, or grain. The reason the amphora vessels had a tapered end was so they could be pushed into the earth and stand on their own when used for storage.

The pithos (so called by the Greeks), was an immense tub, cask, or vase of pottery, made in Egypt as in all the Oriental countries. It was used in the household cellar, where meats and provisions were stored. This was sometimes six feet in diameter, always made of coarse unglazed pottery.

The later artistic Egyptian pottery was siliceous, ( between earthenware and porcelain ), possessing a fine grain and being able to resist high temperatures. It was generally covered with a thin glaze, colored blue or green by oxides of copper. As Egyptian pottery became more decorated it also became an expression of religious sentiment and an expression of revered symbols.