Ancient Romano-Egyptian Large Alabaster Bowl

Period: 100-300

Origin: Egypt

Medium: Alabaster

Literature: After Octavian’s defeat of Antony and Cleopatra at the naval battle of Actium in 31BC the Hellenistic Kingdom of the Ptolemies in Egypt became the private possession of the Roman Emperor. Egypt became the chief supplier of grain for the gigantic population of Rome and also supplied marbles, stones and other materials from its quarries in the eastern desert. Both porphyry and alabaster were quarried and exploited by the Romans between the 1st and 5th centuries AD. Fine stonework bowls and platters made of alabaster were used by wealthy Romans to serve their quests. Valued and appreciated throughout the centuries they were often later reused in the Christian churches as baptismal and holy water fonts.