Ancient Egyptian metal handle from Naukratis dated 30 BC – AD 395

Copper alloy element from a vase or other object. Made separately but intended to be fixed onto the other object, three holes for this purpose, two of which have rivets broken off in them. It is a rectangular piece of metal with a ring at the which spreads out at the base into five petal shapes. Two incised lines run down the centre of the rectangle, either side of the three ‘rivet’ holes. It’s overall shape is like that of a closed lotus blossom. Probably a handle from a decorative vase. Some patches of corrosion. There is some faience like material fixed in the base of the incised lines, where they hit the petal edges. These may be sand deposits, or the remains of intentional, possibly faience, infills, which may have been coloured accentuate the design.

Ancient Egyptian metal handle from Naukratis dated 30 BC – AD 395

Object details

  • Latitude: 30.901111
  • Longitude: 30.5925