Vase in the Shape of a Mother Monkey with Her Offspring

Old Kingdom

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 103

This mother monkey holds her baby clinging tightly to her chest. The inscription reads "Ny-Khaswt-Meryre [female] tenant landholder"[of the pyramid endowment of Pepy I] and "first occurrence of the jubilee."

Inscriptions on this and similar vases (e.g., 30.8.134) suggest that the vessels were given by Sixth Dynasty kings to favored courtiers, particularly women, at the time of the king's jubilee.

Vase in the Shape of a Mother Monkey with Her Offspring, Travertine (Egyptian alabaster), paint

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3/4 right front

Vase in the Shape of a Mother Monkey with Her Offspring, Travertine (Egyptian alabaster), paint
Vase in the Shape of a Mother Monkey with Her Offspring, Travertine (Egyptian alabaster), paint
Vase in the Shape of a Mother Monkey with Her Offspring, Travertine (Egyptian alabaster), paint
Vase in the Shape of a Mother Monkey with Her Offspring, Travertine (Egyptian alabaster), paint

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