EGYPT, 11TH CENTURY

Details

A FATIMID MARBLE KILGA
EGYPT, 11TH CENTURY
Of typical form with octagonal superstructure carved on each side with niches, the front with two animal head bosses, the sides of the tray with a band of stylised kufic
18¾in. (47.5cm.) long; 10in. (25.5cm.) high

Provenance

French Private Collection, by 1950

Special notice

Specified lots (sold and unsold) marked with a filled square not collected from Christie’s by 5.00 pm on the day of the sale will, at our option, be removed to Cadogan Tate. Christie’s will inform you if the lot has been sent offsite. Our removal and storage of the lot is subject to the terms and conditions of storage which can be found at Christies.com/storage. Please call Christie’s Client Service 24 hours in advance to book a collection time at Cadogan Tate Ltd. All collections will be by pre-booked appointment only. Tel: +44 (0)20 7839 9060 Email: cscollectionsuk@christies.com. If the lot remains at Christie’s it will be available for collection on any working day 9.00 am to 5.00 pm. Lots are not available for collection at weekends.

Brought to you by

Sara Plumbly

splumbly@christies.com +44 (0)20 7389 2372

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. An impressive example which retained its jar was sold at Christie’s, King Street, 25 April 2013, lot 85.

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