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Ointment Jar

New Kingdom
ca. 1479–1458 B.C.
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 116
A number of foundation deposit of the Deir el-Bahri temple contained a number of ointment jars most with remains of the original content (plant or animal fat and fragrances). The presence of such items made sure that the sacred images of the temple could be eternally anointed as prescribed in the daily temple ritual. The text on this jar reads: "Daughter of Re, Hatshepsut, she has made it as an offering for her father Amun at the time of the stretching of the cord over Djeser-djeseru-Amun, that she may be made to live." Djeser-djeseru-Amun was the name of her temple at Deir el-Bahri.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Ointment Jar
  • Period: New Kingdom
  • Dynasty: Dynasty 18
  • Reign: Joint reign of Hatshepsut and Thutmose III
  • Date: ca. 1479–1458 B.C.
  • Geography: From Egypt, Upper Egypt, Thebes, Deir el-Bahri, Temple of Hatshepsut, forecourt, Foundation Deposit 3 (C), MMA excavations, 1923–24
  • Medium: Travertine (Egyptian alabaster), ointment
  • Dimensions: H 14.3 × Diam 8.4 cm (5 5/8 × 3 5/16 in.)
  • Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1925
  • Object Number: 25.3.46a, b
  • Curatorial Department: Egyptian Art

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