Basalt model cup from an Opening of the Mouth set
Basalt model cup (conical cup); fine grained, dark purple; broken and split on one end, yellow-brown deposit over end and side. (Ritual vessel used in "Opening of the Mouth" ceremony.) [08-7-33]
Details
- ID
- MFAB_11.768
- Alternate IDs
- 11.768; MFAB_11.768
- Department
- Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
- Classification
- Tools & Equipment-Ritual implements
- Period
- Old Kingdom, Dynasty 4
- Title
- Basalt model cup from an Opening of the Mouth set
- Medium
- Basalt
- Dimensions
- Height x diameter: 3 x 2.7 cm (1 3/16 x 1 1/16 in.)
- Credit Line
- Harvard University–Boston Museum of Fine Arts Expedition
- Provenance
- Menkaure Valley Temple (MVT / on wall between magazines III 7 and III 8)
- Bibliography
- Dunham, Dows & William J. Young. "An Occurrence of Iron in the Fourth Dynasty." Journal of Egyptian Archaeology 28 (1942), p. 57. Reisner, George A. Mycerinus: The Temples of the Third Pyramid at Giza. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1931, p. 36 (July 19), p. 233, p. 263, pl. 61e, f, 65b. Roth, Ann Macy. "Fingers, Stars, and the 'Opening of the Mouth': the Nature and Function of the nTrwj-blades." Journal of Egyptian Archaeology 79 (1993), p. 73. Thomas, Nancy, ed. The American Discovery of Ancient Egypt. Los Angeles: Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 1995, p. 122, cat. 36.
- Notes
- This object was excavated by the Harvard University–Boston Museum of Fine Arts Expedition, but was not recorded in any object register book. 1908: Excavated by the Harvard University–Museum of Fine Arts Expedition; 1911: assigned to the MFA in the division of finds by the government of Egypt. (Accession date: March 2, 1911)
- Remarks
- Registration number obtained from publication; no registration records available for 1908. Opening of the Mouth set includes: MFA 11.765 (flint pesesh-kef), MFA 11.767, MFA 11.768, MFA 11.769 (three basalt model cups), MFA 11.770 (quartz crystal model cup), MFA 11.771 (alabaster model bottle), MFA 11.772 (basalt model bottle).
