Tickets
English
DonateMembershipTickets

Fishtail Knife

Predynastic, Naqada II
ca. 3650–3300 BCE
Not on view
Blades such as this one were included in burials throughout the Predynastic Period.The cutting edge is the V-shaped notch. Although the implement's exact purpose is unknown, there is persua-sive evidence that it was used at birth to cut the umbilical cord and was placed in the grave to assist its owner's rebirth into the afterlife.

A similar instrument was used throughout Egyptian history in the funerary rite known as the "Opening of the Mouth": touched to the mouth of the deceased's mummy or statue, it symboli-cally restored the individual's capability of independent existence. In addition to the implement, this model set also contains replicas of the vessels with which the newly revived spirit was of-fered milk (a baby's first source of nourishment), salt water (used for cleansing), and fresh water.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Fishtail Knife
  • Period: Predynastic, Naqada II
  • Date: ca. 3650–3300 BCE
  • Geography: From Egypt
  • Medium: Flint
  • Dimensions: L. 5.8 x 0.8 x 15.7 cm (2 5/16 x 5/16 x 6 3/16 in.)
  • Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1916
  • Object Number: 16.2.4
  • Curatorial Department: Egyptian Art

More Artwork

More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
King Sahure Accompanied by a Divine Figure, Gneiss
King Sahure Accompanied by a Divine Figure
ca. 2458–2446 BCE
Knife, Flint
Knife
ca. 7500–4500 BCE (?)
Libation Dish Depicting Ka-Arms Presenting an Ankh-Sign, Greywacke
Libation Dish Depicting Ka-Arms Presenting an Ankh-Sign
ca. 3100–2900 B.C.
Bifacial knife with handle, Flint
Bifacial knife with handle
ca. 3100–2649 B.C.
Hair Comb Decorated with Rows of Wild Animals, Ivory
Hair Comb Decorated with Rows of Wild Animals
ca. 3200–3100 BCE

Related Content

Publications

Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please contact us using the form below. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.

Send feedback

Content Notice

The Metropolitan Museum of Art presents over 5,000 years of art from around the world, and our online collection reflects ongoing work conducted over the course of our more than 150-year history. You may encounter objects or images that may be inappropriate for some viewers or information that may be outdated.