Relief, tomb of Khety: sacred objects to be used in Khety’s funeral rituals

Unknown

ca. 2051–2000 B.C. · Limestone, paint · Egyptian Art

These relief fragments from the tomb of Khety illustrate several exclusively Upper Egyptian ritual objects. The fragments in the lower center depict two blue ointment jars into which flails have been inserted. Together the jar and the flail symbolize the purification of the deceased using sacred oils derived from tree resins that were collected with flail-like instruments. Above the jar is one half of a double bull. Represented between the flails, this animal may have been symbolic of the setting and rising sun. At the far left, traces of fringe from a piece of cloth are visible.

Artist

Unknown

Date

ca. 2051–2000 B.C.

Medium

Limestone, paint

Department

Egyptian Art

Credit line

Rogers Fund, 1926