New Year Gift: Cosmetic Box

Norman de Garis Davies

A.D. 1913; original ca. 1427–1400 B.C. · Tempera on paper · Egyptian Art

The New Year festival celebrated the birth of the sun god and was associated with the rebirth of the king, as well as with renewal in general. Different traditions have been recorded as being part of this celebration. In New Kingdom tombs, scenes depict presentations of New Year gifts to the king. Among them was new temple equipment, such as this duck-shaped cosmetic box with a duckling.

Artist

Norman de Garis Davies

Date

A.D. 1913; original ca. 1427–1400 B.C.

Medium

Tempera on paper

Department

Egyptian Art

Credit line

Rogers Fund, 1930