Spoon with a falcon on the handle

Unknown

ca. 3300–3100 B.C. · Ivory · Egyptian Art

This early example of a toilet spoon (partly reconstructed) has a long handle, rounded for most of its length, and then tapering and flattening toward one end. Vertically through the flattened end is a hole, perhaps for suspension. At the other end is a hemispherical bowl to hold cosmetic material. Facing the bowl is the figure of a falcon that rests its beak on the rim. Although falcons are rarely depicted during this period, this high-soaring bird of prey was already beginning to take on solar connotations. The ivory from which this spoon was carved could be from either a hippopotamus or an elephant tusk.

Artist

Unknown

Date

ca. 3300–3100 B.C.

Medium

Ivory

Department

Egyptian Art

Credit line

Gift of Egypt Exploration Fund, 1909