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Cosmetic spoon with a handle in the shape of an ankh

Middle Kingdom
ca. 1887–1750 BC
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

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Cosmetic spoon with a handle in the shape of an ankh
  • Period: Middle Kingdom
  • Date: ca. 1887–1750 BC
  • Geography: From Egypt, Fayum Entrance Area, Haraga, Cemetery A, Tomb 124, BSAE excavations, 1913-14
  • Medium: Travertine (Egyptian alabaster)
  • Dimensions: L. 10.4 cm (4 1/8 in.); W. 2.9 cm (1 1/8 in.); D. 0.7 cm (1/4 in.)
  • Credit Line: Purchase, Lila Acheson Wallace Gift, 2014
  • Object Number: 2014.619.1
  • Curatorial Department: Egyptian Art

More Artwork

More Artwork
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A group of stone vessels from a tomb at Haraga, Travertine (Egyptian alabaster)
A group of stone vessels from a tomb at Haraga
ca. 1887–1750 BC
Cosmetic Spoon in the Shape of Swimming Woman Holding a Dish, Travertine (Egyptian alabaster), steatite
Cosmetic Spoon in the Shape of Swimming Woman Holding a Dish
ca. 1390–1352 B.C.
Handle of a Cosmetic Spoon in the Form of a Leopard, Travertine (Egyptian alabaster)
Handle of a Cosmetic Spoon in the Form of a Leopard
ca. 1390–1352 B.C.
Sphinx of Amenhotep III, possibly from a Model of a Temple, Faience, remains of a travertine (Egyptian alabaster) tenon
Sphinx of Amenhotep III, possibly from a Model of a Temple
ca. 1390–1352 B.C.
Head of a Hippopotamus, Travertine (Egyptian alabaster) with traces of gesso and red pigment
Head of a Hippopotamus
ca. 1390–1352 B.C.

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