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Whip handle of Nebiry

New Kingdom
ca. 1479–1458 B.C.
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 116
This whip handle probably had leather thongs attached to the slot at the top. It is inscribed with the name and title of Nebiri, who was the skipper of a boat. The inscription also names Senenmut, a well known official in the joint reign of Hatshepsut and Thutmose III. Among Senenmut's titles was "Overseer of Works" which probably included oversight the boats that transported supplies for various building projects. Traces of blue paint have been found in the hieroglyphs.

As skipper of a boat, Nebiri may have used the whip to keep time for his crew of oarsmen, as seen in the detail of a wall painting shown above.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Whip handle of Nebiry
  • Period: New Kingdom
  • Dynasty: Dynasty 18
  • Reign: Joint reign of Hatshepsut and Thutmose III
  • Date: ca. 1479–1458 B.C.
  • Geography: From Egypt, Upper Egypt, Thebes, Deir el-Bahri, beside Hatshepsut Hole, huts between temple causeways, MMA excavations, 1922–23
  • Medium: Wood, paint
  • Dimensions: L. 45.4 cm (17 7/8 in.)
  • Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1923
  • Object Number: 23.3.46
  • Curatorial Department: Egyptian Art

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