Bowl with Basket Pattern

ca. 3300-3100 B.C.E.

This bowl exemplifies one of the finest types of Nubian ceramics, called eggshell ware for the thinness of its walls. Artisans painted the outside of these vessels—mostly open bowls and cups—with geometric patterns or designs derived from basketry. With walls only three to five millimeters thick, eggshell ware breaks easily; whole or nearly whole examples such as this piece are extremely rare.