Whip handle of Nebiry

New Kingdom

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.

Whip handle of Nebiry, Wood, paint

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Whip handle of Nebiry, Wood, paint
Whip handle of Nebiry, Wood, paint
Whip handle of Nebiry, Wood, paint

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