"Opening of the Mouth" vessel of Perneb

Old Kingdom

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 100

An essential rite performed during the funeral ceremonies was the "Opening of the Mouth." Thought to have evoked the rituals carried out at the birth of a child, this served to restore the senses of the newly deceased (resident in spirit within the mummified body or a statue), so that he or she could once again breathe, speak, eat, drink, see, and hear.

This vessel is part of a set used for this ceremony. It would have held milk, or salt or fresh water (see also 14.7.30; 14.7.92; and 14.7.94).

For a complete set of implements for this ritual, see 07.228.117a-h.

"Opening of the Mouth" vessel of Perneb, Dark stone

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