An Egyptian rhyton from the Eighteenth Dynasty *

Abstract

This article presents a previously unpublished vessel fragment of Egyptian clay, made in imitation of the Aegean rhyton vessel type. Fabric and stylistic comparisons date it to the late Eighteenth Dynasty. The decoration with an animal head, and the unusual solution of the spout, distinguishes this rhyton from other known Egyptian examples in clay and faience. The position of the animal head decoration is reminiscent of Hittite rhyta. The ‘Amarna letters' indicate that Hittite kings sent rhyta to other kings as gifts. An Egyptian potter therefore probably produced this vessel, which is an amalgam of an Aegean vessel type with Hittite inspired decoration.