Piriform Jar Inscribed with Hatshepsut's Titles as Queen

Unknown

ca. 1492–1473 B.C. · Travertine (Egyptian alabaster) · Egyptian Art

This pear-shaped jar would have been used to store unguents or oils. It is inscribed with Hatshepsut's personal name and her titles as queen: "God's Wife, King's Great Wife whom he loves, Mistress of the Two Lands, Hatshepsut, may she live!" The designation "King's Great Wife whom he loves" suggests this vessel was made before the death of Hatshepsut's husband, Thutmose II. The jar may originally have been intended to furnish Hatshepsut's queen's cliff tomb in western Thebes. After she became king, Hatshepsut seems to have donated goods inscribed with her queen's titles as provisions for the burials of individuals she deemed important (see linen and vessels from the tomb of Hatnefer and Ramose, 36.6.1–36.6.70). Two stone jars, this one and 18.8.15, seem to have been donated to the burial of three foreign wives of her nephew, Thutmose III.

Artist

Unknown

Date

ca. 1492–1473 B.C.

Medium

Travertine (Egyptian alabaster)

Department

Egyptian Art

Credit line

Fletcher Fund, 1919