Bag and Contents
This small bag was found discarded on a rubbish heap outside of a group of Coptic buildings in Sheikh abd el-Qurna. It comprises two layers of linen cloth, the inner one unhemmed and the outer one sewn on three sides with a buttonhole stitch. A 3-ply linen cord was attached to one corner with thread and used, along with a length of 2-ply thread, to tie the bag closed.
Inside were sixteen (16) small objects: 4 oval quartz pebbles, smoothed and flattened on one side; 7 smaller natural pebbles; 1 seed; 1 lump of silver; 1 black glass bead; 1 faience draughtsman; and 1 faience eye amulet. The pebbles, at least, may have been used as weights by a scribe; some scribal equipment (papyrus, pens, and a scribe’s palette - 14.1.393a–j) was found nearby.
Although recorded with material from a nearby tomb originally from the 12th Dynasty (Tomb MMA 804), the bag and its contents have been dated to the Late Period.
Inside were sixteen (16) small objects: 4 oval quartz pebbles, smoothed and flattened on one side; 7 smaller natural pebbles; 1 seed; 1 lump of silver; 1 black glass bead; 1 faience draughtsman; and 1 faience eye amulet. The pebbles, at least, may have been used as weights by a scribe; some scribal equipment (papyrus, pens, and a scribe’s palette - 14.1.393a–j) was found nearby.
Although recorded with material from a nearby tomb originally from the 12th Dynasty (Tomb MMA 804), the bag and its contents have been dated to the Late Period.
Artwork Details
- Title:Bag and Contents
- Period:Late Period
- Dynasty:Dynasty 26–30
- Date:664–332 B.C.
- Geography:From Egypt, Upper Egypt, Thebes, Sheikh Abd el-Qurna, Tomb MMA 804 (M04), forecourt rubbish not far from 14.1.393a-j, MMA excavations, 1913–14
- Medium:Linen, stone, faience
- Dimensions:L. a: 12 cm (4 3/4 in.); b: 1.7 cm (11/16 in.); c: 1.2 cm (1/2 in.); d: 1.1 cm (7/16 in.); e: 1 cm (3/8 in.); f: 1 cm (3/8 in.); g: 0.7 cm (1/4 in.); h: 0.7 cm (5/16 in.); i: 1.2 cm (1/2 in.); j: 0.7 cm (5/16 in.); k: 0.7 cm (5/16 in.); l: 0.6 cm (1/4 in.); m: 0.6 cm (1/4 in.); n: 0.7 cm (1/4 in.); o: 0.6 cm (1/4 in.); p: 0.6 cm (1/4 in.); q: 0.6 cm (1/4 in.); r: 2.5 cm (1 in.)
- Credit Line:Rogers Fund, 1914
- Object Number:14.1.394a–r
- Curatorial Department: Egyptian Art
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200–30 B.C.
ca. 872–664 BCE
664–525 BCE
664–332 B.C.
332–30 B.C.
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