Description
Fish-shaped decorated palette
Kunsthistorisches Museum, Wien ÄOS inv. No. 9067
Unprovenanced (El-Samara?)
(Naqada IIc-IIIb ?)
18,5 x 8,7 x 1,5 cm

Bibliography: -

KUNSTHISTORISCHES MUSEUM, WIEN > Recto: http://bilddatenbank.khm.at/images/500/AE_INV_9067_2.jpg - Verso: http://bilddatenbank.khm.at/images/500/AE_INV_9067_1.jpg
"Slate palettes were used for grinding mineral pigments. This one takes the form of a common Nile fish. Palettes with relief work are rare. Here the area for rubbing and mixing the colour is set off by a ring; encircling it are various aquatic life forms, like fish, a crocodile, a stork and a goose with goslings. The eye recess was originally set with bone. Beneath the mouth, a hole has been drilled for a string".

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Fish shaped palettes are far more widespread in Naqada II than later in Naqada III (and than in Naqada I). Also the hollowed eye for inlay is typical of Naqada II (C), as fins, gills and mouth incised details are too (later examples are less detailed and more stylised); the relief circle in the middle is instead a Naqada III feature. On the other hand, the carved animals are highly suspect to me, although they have some parallels (cf. UC16293, UC16296 which might be modern forgeries).