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Women at a Banquet

Twentieth Century; original New Kingdom
1922; original ca. 1396–1386 BCE
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 135
This detail of a banquet scene shows a female guest offering another guest a yellow mandrake fruit, which the ancient Egyptians associated with love and sexuality. The fruit has a pleasing smell when ripe, while the mandrake plant itself has hallucinogenic and aphrodisiac effects but is toxic. Several lotus flowers are also depicted. Each headband features a lotus bud, and two guests hold a lotus flower; one is open (though partially destroyed), and another is closed. The lotus flower, which also has a pleasing scent, was a symbol for regeneration and rebirth because its petals open and close every day. Additionally, the Nymphaea species of lotus has narcotic properties and may have been used to achieve an altered state.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Women at a Banquet
  • Artist: Nina de Garis Davies (1881–1965)
  • Period: Twentieth Century; original New Kingdom
  • Dynasty: Dynasty 18
  • Reign: probably reign of Thutmose IV
  • Date: 1922; original ca. 1396–1386 BCE
  • Geography: Original from Egypt, Upper Egypt, Thebes, Sheikh Abd el-Qurna, Tomb of Nebseny (TT 108), MMA Graphic Section, 1922
  • Medium: Tempera on paper
  • Dimensions: facsimile: h. 29.5 cm (11 5/8 in); w. 58 cm (22 13/16 in), scale 1:1; framed: h. 33 cm ( 13 in); w. 61 cm (24 in)
  • Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1930
  • Object Number: 30.4.92
  • Curatorial Department: Egyptian Art

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ca. 1897–1878 B.C.
Ax head inscribed for Khumeh with two baboons and a papyrus column, Bronze or copper alloy
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Queen Nefertari Playing Senet, Nina de Garis Davies, Tempera on paper
Queen Nefertari Playing Senet
Nina de Garis Davies
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Boomerang, Wood
Boomerang
ca. 1981–1550 B.C.
Cretans Bringing Gifts of Metal and Jewelry, Tomb of Rekhmire, Nina de Garis Davies, Paper, tempera paint, ink
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Nina de Garis Davies
ca. 1479–1396 BCE

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