OLD KINGDOM, 5TH-6TH DYNASTY, CIRCA 2494-2181 B.C.

Details

AN EGYPTIAN STONE RITUAL SET
OLD KINGDOM, 5TH-6TH DYNASTY, CIRCA 2494-2181 B.C.
Comprising a trapezoidal limestone tray, cut with seven depressions to hold two alabaster and limestone dummy vases each with piriform body and long everted neck, two limestone and two alabaster dummy cups each of conical form, and a red quartzite fishtail pesesh-kef instrument at the centre, for the ceremony of the 'Opening of the Mouth'
Tray: 9 x 6 ¼ in. (23 x 15.8 cm.)
Pesesh-kef: 5 ¾ in. (14.6 cm.) long

Provenance

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

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Lot Essay

Models of the equipment used in the ceremony of the 'Opening of the Mouth' have been found in tombs of the 5th and 6th Dynasties. This ceremony took place during the funerary process, both on the mummy and statues of the deceased. The ritual restored the deceased's sensorial faculties, so that they could regain the power to breathe and speak, as well as to eat and drink the offerings which would be provided for them. The vases would have contained purifying liquids and the cups would have been used to pour libations.

For similar, cf. S. H. d'Auria et al., Mummies and Magic, the Funerary Arts of Ancient Egypt, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, 1988, no. 11, pp. 80-81; W. C. Hayes, The Scepter of Egypt, vol. I, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, 1953, pp. 117-118, fig. 70; and Le Don du Nil, Zurich, 1978, pp. 31-2, no. 109.

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