Cosmetic spoon with a handle in the shape of an ankh

Middle Kingdom

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 111

Probably intended for use as a cosmetic spoon, this example exhibits a very rare style. Its handle is shaped as an ankh, the hieroglyphic sign translating as "life" or "to live." The spoon's bowl is taken from the shape a valve of a local freshwater mollusk. Such shells were also used by scribes in their work.

Link to a blog post
Jewelry from the Haraga Treasure, United at the Met

Cosmetic spoon with a handle in the shape of an ankh, Travertine (Egyptian alabaster)

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Cosmetic spoon with a handle in the shape of an ankh, Travertine (Egyptian alabaster)
Cosmetic spoon with a handle in the shape of an ankh, Travertine (Egyptian alabaster)
Cosmetic spoon with a handle in the shape of an ankh, Travertine (Egyptian alabaster)
Cosmetic spoon with a handle in the shape of an ankh, Travertine (Egyptian alabaster)
Cosmetic spoon with a handle in the shape of an ankh, Travertine (Egyptian alabaster)
Cosmetic spoon with a handle in the shape of an ankh, Travertine (Egyptian alabaster)
Cosmetic spoon with a handle in the shape of an ankh, Travertine (Egyptian alabaster)
Cosmetic spoon with a handle in the shape of an ankh, Travertine (Egyptian alabaster)
Cosmetic spoon with a handle in the shape of an ankh, Travertine (Egyptian alabaster)
Cosmetic spoon with a handle in the shape of an ankh, Travertine (Egyptian alabaster)
Cosmetic spoon with a handle in the shape of an ankh, Travertine (Egyptian alabaster)

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