"Opening of the Mouth" vessel of Perneb

Old Kingdom

ca. 2381–2323 B.C.

Not on view

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 14.7.93).

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

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

Title: "Opening of the Mouth" vessel of Perneb
Period: Old Kingdom
Dynasty: Dynasty 5
Reign: reign of Isesi–Unis
Date: ca. 2381–2323 B.C.
Geography: From Egypt, Memphite Region, Saqqara, Tomb of Perneb, MMA excavations, 1913–14
Medium: Dark stone
Dimensions: H: 3.5 cm (1 3/8 in.); diam: 5.2 cm (2 1/16 in.)
Credit Line: Gift of Edward S. Harkness, 1914
Object Number: 14.7.94
Curatorial Department: Egyptian Art

More Artwork

In the same medium

From the same time and place

A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.

Relief of an Acacia Tree Shading Water Jars with Drinking Cups, Limestone, paint — Relief of an Acacia Tree Shading Water Jars with Drinking Cups
ca. 2051–2030 B.C.

Cylinder jar, Stone — Cylinder jar
ca. 3100–2649 B.C.

Shallow bowl, Stone — Shallow bowl
ca. 3100–2649 B.C.

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.