Miniature
c. 1550 BC - c. 1292 BC (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
Since the earliest stages of Egyptian history, fruit and vegetables had formed part of the offerings given to the deceased to ensure they were provisioned for the Afterlife, be these actual foodstuffs or depictions of such on tomb walls and stelae. Model fruits were also offered in place of real (and perishable) items.
This model fruit was one of many items found deposited at the mortuary temple of Deir el-Bahari during the New Kingdom. They were deposited as votive offerings, placed in the shrine to the goddess Hathor within the temple complex. The turquoise colour typical of glazed composition was considered appropriate for this goddess, one of whose Epithets was 'Lady of Turquoise'.
This model fruit was one of many items found deposited at the mortuary temple of Deir el-Bahari during the New Kingdom. They were deposited as votive offerings, placed in the shrine to the goddess Hathor within the temple complex. The turquoise colour typical of glazed composition was considered appropriate for this goddess, one of whose Epithets was 'Lady of Turquoise'.
Object details
Category | |
Object type | |
Materials and techniques | Glazed composition |
Brief description | Miniature votive dom palm fruit, blue glazed composition, Deir el-Bahari, Egypt, New Kingdom |
Physical description | Blue glazed composition model fruit, probably a dom palm fruit. Portions of the surface glaze have come away to reveal the body material beneath. |
Dimensions |
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Marks and inscriptions |
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Credit line | Given by the Egypt Exploration Fund. |
Object history | Found at Deir el-Bahari, 1904-5 excavation season. |
Summary | Since the earliest stages of Egyptian history, fruit and vegetables had formed part of the offerings given to the deceased to ensure they were provisioned for the Afterlife, be these actual foodstuffs or depictions of such on tomb walls and stelae. Model fruits were also offered in place of real (and perishable) items. This model fruit was one of many items found deposited at the mortuary temple of Deir el-Bahari during the New Kingdom. They were deposited as votive offerings, placed in the shrine to the goddess Hathor within the temple complex. The turquoise colour typical of glazed composition was considered appropriate for this goddess, one of whose Epithets was 'Lady of Turquoise'. |
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Collection | |
Accession number | 669-1905 |
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Record created | June 24, 2009 |
Record URL |
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