Votive Pomegranate Vase
This gold pomegranate vase was part of a votive offering dedicated to the cat goddess Bastet in her temple at Tell Basta. The body of this vase is decorated with small, embossed beads shaped like pomegranates, which were among the fruits introduced into Egypt from the East at the beginning of the New Kingdom. The neck of the vase is decorated with four registers, or sections, of floral motifs.
These motifs include a frieze of lance-shaped leaves, a series of lotus flowers, bunches of grapes and small flowers, a row of stylized rosettes, and a garland of flowers. The handle is formed of a moving ring that passes through a bar fixed to the rim of the vase. The bar is decorated with a relief of a calf lying down.
Pomegranate decorations were indeed present in ancient Egypt and held symbolic significance.
The pomegranate was associated with fertility, abundance, and rebirth in Egyptian mythology and religious beliefs. It was often depicted in various forms of art, including wall paintings, reliefs, and jewelry.
This vase was found with other objects at Tell Basta, the ancient town of Per Bastet , in the south-eastern Delta.
The articles were probably part of a votive offering in the temple dedicated to Bastet, the goddess represented as a woman with the head of a cat, whose cult was centered in this locality.
In ancient Egyptian tombs, pomegranate motifs were commonly found as decorative elements on the walls and ceilings.
They were often depicted alongside other symbols of fertility and regeneration, such as lotus flowers and cornucopias.
Pomegranate-shaped amulets were also worn by individuals as protective charms, believed to bring good fortune and ward off evil.
The body of this charming vase is decorated with small embossed beads supposed to reproduce a pomegranate, a fruit introduced into Egypt from the East at the start of the New Kingdom. Pomegranates were very popular and frequently appeared in funerary offerings.
Floral motifs in four registers decorate the neck of the vase including, from the top, a frieze of lance-shaped leaves, a series of lotus flowers, bunches of grapes and small flowers, a row of stylized rosettes, and a garland of flowers.
The handle is formed by a moving ring that passes through a bar fixed to the rim of the vase. The bar is decorated with a relief of a lying calf.
The use of precious gold and silver plate was limited to the royal court and their dimensions were usually small.
Gold vases from Tanis
Tanis was a significant city during the Third Intermediate Period and the later periods of ancient Egypt. The gold vases found at Tanis are known for their exquisite craftsmanship and artistic beauty.
These vases were typically made of gold or adorned with gold decorations, showcasing the wealth and skill of the artisans of that time.
They were often used for ceremonial or decorative purposes, and their intricate designs and precious materials made them highly valued objects.
The discovery of these gold vases at Tanis provides valuable insights into the artistic and cultural achievements of ancient Egypt.
The pomegranate’s association with fertility and abundance made it a popular decorative motif in religious and domestic contexts.
Its presence in ancient Egyptian art and artifacts reflects the importance of these concepts in their culture and beliefs.
Third Intermediate Period, ca. 1070-664 BC. From Bubastis (Tell Basta). Now in the Egyptian Museum, Cairo. JE 39870; CG 53261
