Straight-sided cup with slight foot

This cup is made of a reddish clay fabric. It has straight sides with and plain, unworked rim. The base has been pulled downward to form a slight foot of sorts. There are no indications of surface treatments. Small vessels such as this cup are common in grave, tomb, and temple contexts where they could be presented with offerings or as model offerings in and of themselves. They are thus often called "model vessels." They are most often made of medium to coarse grades of clay, and shaping is often poor and irregular even when formed on a wheel. Frequent irregularities or asymmetry in shaping reflect fast work and mass production. Knife-cut or cord-cut bases are common, though rounded bases occur as well.