Cowrie Shell Girdle, Lion Bracelets, Bracelets with the Name of Amenemhat III, and Anklets of Princess Sithathoryunet

Middle Kingdom

ca. 1887–1813 B.C.

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 111

Along with the pectoral, these bracelets, anklets, and girdle seem to have belonged to a set of formal jewelry that may have been worn during a special rite. Although the objects share a color scheme, variations in manufacture suggest they were accumulated over time. All the pieces were reconstructed from loose elements found scattered around Sithathoryunet’s decayed boxes. The bracelets are inlaid with the name of King Amenemhat III. The girdle, whose shells have erotic associations, was worn around the hips. Each contains small pellets that would have made a soft sound when the woman walked or danced.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

References

Title: Cowrie Shell Girdle, Lion Bracelets, Bracelets with the Name of Amenemhat III, and Anklets of Princess Sithathoryunet
Period: Middle Kingdom
Dynasty: Dynasty 12
Reign: reign of Senwosret II–Amenemhat III
Date: ca. 1887–1813 B.C.
Geography: From Egypt, Fayum Entrance Area, Lahun, Tomb of Sithathoryunet (BSA Tomb 8), Chamber E, box 1, BSAE excavations 1914
Medium: Gold, carnelian, turquoise, feldspar, pellets of copper-silver alloy
Dimensions: 16.1.5: L. 84.3 cm (33 3/16 in.); L. (cowrie) 4.7 cm (1 7/8 in.); 16.1.8: L. 12.5 cm (4 15/16 in.); W. (clasp) 8 cm (3 1/8 in.); 16.1.9: L. 12.5 cm (4 15/16 in.); W. (clasp) 8 cm (3 1/8 in.); 16.1.10a: L. 15.4 cm (6 1/16 in.); W. 4.4 cm (1 3/4 in.); 16.1.11a: L. 15.4 cm (6 1/16 in.); W. 4.5 cm (1 3/4 in.); 16.1.12: L. 14.5 cm (5 11/16 in); L. of lions 1.6 cm (5/8 in); L. of clasp 1 cm (3/8 in); 16.1.13: L. 14.5 cm (5 11/16 in); L. of lions 1.4 cm (9/16 in); L. of clasp (0.8 cm (5/16 in)
Credit Line: Purchase, Rogers Fund and Henry Walters Gift, 1916
Object Number: 16.1.5–.13-related
Curatorial Department: Egyptian Art

More Artwork

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Lion Bracelet of Sithathoryunet, Gold, carnelian, turquoise — Lion Bracelet of Sithathoryunet
ca. 1887–1813 B.C.

Cowrie Shell Girdle of Sithathoryunet, Gold, carnelian, feldspar, pellets of copper-silver alloy — Cowrie Shell Girdle of Sithathoryunet
ca. 1887–1813 B.C.

Broad Bracelet of Sithathoryunet, Gold, carnelian, turquoise, faience, Egyptian blue, lapis lazuli — Broad Bracelet of Sithathoryunet
ca. 1887–1813 B.C.

Broad Anklet of Sithathoryunet, Gold, carnelian, turquoise — Broad Anklet of Sithathoryunet
ca. 1887–1813 B.C.

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