Dagger handle (with 22.3.75b)

Unknown

ca. 1580–1479 B.C. · Wood · Egyptian Art

Inscribed for Hatshepsut's father, Thutmose I, these two wooden grips were fixed to either side of the handle of a dagger. The end of each grip is decorated with a falcon, its wings bent to fit the curve of the pommel, and shen hieroglyphs, signifying eternity. Since the falcon represents Horus, a god personified by the king on earth, he may be seen as holding eternity and perhaps also extending it to the king named below.

Artist

Unknown

Date

ca. 1580–1479 B.C.

Medium

Wood

Department

Egyptian Art

Credit line

Rogers Fund and Edward S. Harkness Gift, 1922