PREDYNASTIC-EARLY DYNASTIC PERIOD, NAQADA II-2ND DYNASTY, CIRCA 3500-2686 B.C.

Details

THREE EGYPTIAN FLINT TOOLS
PREDYNASTIC-EARLY DYNASTIC PERIOD, NAQADA II-2ND DYNASTY, CIRCA 3500-2686 B.C.
Including two fishtail knives, ripple-flaked on both sides, with serrated edges; and a ripple-flaked arrowhead with collared base
5 in. (12.7 cm.) long max.

Provenance

Alton Edward Mills (1882-1970), Switzerland; and thence by descent to the present owner.

Special notice

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Lot Essay

The exact function of fishtail knives is uncertain, but it is thought that they were an early form of the pesesh-kef implement, used during the 'Opening of the Mouth' ceremony, as well as during childbirth for cutting the umbilical cord (see lot 28). For similar examples cf. L. M. Berman, Catalogue of Egyptian Art: The Cleveland Museum of Art, New York, 1999, pp. 117-119, nos 62-64.

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