Cosmetic Box of the Cupbearer Kemeni

Period:
Middle Kingdom
Dynasty:
Dynasty 12
Reign:
reign of Amenemhat IV
Date:
ca. 1814–1805 B.C.
Geography:
Country of Origin Egypt, Upper Egypt; Thebes, el-Asasif, Birabi, Tomb of Reniseneb (CC 25), Carter/Carnarvon 1910
Medium:
Cedar, with ebony and ivory veneer and silver mounting
Dimensions:
l. 28.5 cm (11 1/4 in); w. 17.7 cm (6 15/16 in); h. 20.3 cm (8 in)
Credit Line:
Purchase, Edward S. Harkness Gift, 1926
Accession Number:
26.7.1438
  • Description

    The incised decoration on the front of this box shows Kemeni presenting ointment to Amenemhat IV. The inlaid inscription around the top of the lid contains the names of the king on the front and reads, from the front right to the back: "A royal offering of (the crocodile god) Sobek, lord of the wetlands, giving a good burial and being led to a state of honor, to the ka (life force) of the secretary of the king's breakfast in preparing the tables of the Lord of the Two Lands, roomkeeper and cupbearer Kemeni possessor of honor and justified." In the inscription from the front to the left, Kemeni is called "born by Any."

    The box contains a mirror (26.7.1351) that is inscribed for "The Great of the Southern Ten" Reniseneb, and four stone ointment jars (26.7.1439a, b–26.7.1442). None of these objects were actually found in the box, only in its vicinity.

  • Provenance

    Excavated by Howard Carter and Lord Carnarvon, 1910; acquired by Lord Carnarvon in the division of finds. Carnarvon Collection purchased by the Museum from Lady Carnarvon, 1926.

  • See also
    What
    Where
    When
    In the Museum
    Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History
    MetPublications
100000127

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