Ointment Bowl with Two Monkeys in Relief

Unknown

ca. 1800–1550 B.C. · Anhydrite · Egyptian Art

Monkeys were kept as pets in ancient Egypt; their exotic origin from farther south in Africa made them suitable adornments of cosmetic vases, but wall paintings in tombs also suggest that there was an erotic symbolism connected with the animals.

Artist

Unknown

Date

ca. 1800–1550 B.C.

Medium

Anhydrite

Department

Egyptian Art

Credit line

Theodore M. Davis Collection, Bequest of Theodore M. Davis, 1915