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Decorated spoon

New Kingdom, Ramesside or Third Intermediate Period
ca. 1295–1070 B.C. or later
Not on view
Decorated spoons in the form of an arm and hand holding a shell have a long history in Egyptian Art. The Late New Kingdom and Third Intermediate Period through Saite Period has produced a number of spoons consisting of a large shell-shaped bowl gripped by a long-fingered hand provided with only a wrist and lower forearm. Faience and fine grained stones are generally used. A number of examples of this kind are inscribed with names of gods and donors.

This example and one other are the only examples of the numerous preserved examples of decorated spoons of any type that retain any signs of contents. This one has traces of a red pigment, which has suggested to some it may have been reused.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Decorated spoon
  • Period: New Kingdom, Ramesside or Third Intermediate Period
  • Dynasty: Dynasty 19–20 or later
  • Date: ca. 1295–1070 B.C. or later
  • Geography: From Egypt
  • Medium: Faience
  • Dimensions: L. 19.5 × W. 6.6 × D. 2.5 cm (7 11/16 × 2 5/8 × 1 in.)
  • Credit Line: Purchase, Edward S. Harkness Gift, 1926
  • Object Number: 26.7.989
  • Curatorial Department: Egyptian Art

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Cosmetic Spoon in the Shape of Swimming Woman Holding a Dish, Travertine (Egyptian alabaster), steatite
Cosmetic Spoon in the Shape of Swimming Woman Holding a Dish
ca. 1390–1352 B.C.
Handle of a Cosmetic Spoon in the Form of a Leopard, Travertine (Egyptian alabaster)
Handle of a Cosmetic Spoon in the Form of a Leopard
ca. 1390–1352 B.C.
Hippopotamus ("William"), Faience
Hippopotamus ("William")
ca. 1961–1878 B.C.
Model Broad Collar of Hapiankhtifi, Faience, blue green and black
Model Broad Collar of Hapiankhtifi
ca. 1981–1802 B.C.
Sphinx of Amenhotep III, possibly from a Model of a Temple, Faience, remains of a travertine (Egyptian alabaster) tenon
Sphinx of Amenhotep III, possibly from a Model of a Temple
ca. 1390–1352 B.C.

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