EGYPT, CIRCA 11TH CENTURY

Details

A FATIMID MARBLE KILGA
EGYPT, CIRCA 11TH CENTURY
Of typical form, the octagonal superstructure resting on four spreading curved legs, the front with extended tray with two lion's head bosses above, sides of the superstructure carved with quatrefoil motifs, the sides of the body with muqarnas motif, weathered areas of surface encrustation
17in. (43.2cm.) long; 12in. (30.5cm.) high

Provenance

Pierre and Claude Verite, acquired between 1930 and 1960, Paris
Anon sale, Christie's Paris, 20 December 2011, lot 26

Special notice

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Lot Essay

Marble kilgas of this type are unique to Egypt. Elfriede Knauer has argued that the reason for this is due to the population's dependence on drinking water carried from the Nile in jars (Elfriede R. Knauer, 'Marble Jar-Stands from Egypt', Metropolitan Museum Journal, vol.14, New York, 1979, pp.67-71). They were originally conceived to support earthenware jars into which the water of the Nile was poured and through whose porous bodies the water was filtered. The water would collect at the bottom and trickle into the protruding basin, thus also cooling it.

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