Ointment Bowl with Two Monkeys in Relief
Monkeys were kept as pets in ancient Egypt; their exotic origin from farther south in Africa made them suitable adornments of cosmetic vases, but wall paintings in tombs also suggest that there was an erotic symbolism connected with the animals.
Artwork Details
- Title: Ointment Bowl with Two Monkeys in Relief
- Period: Middle Kingdom–early New Kingdom
- Dynasty: Dynasty 13–17
- Date: ca. 1800–1550 B.C.
- Geography: From Egypt
- Medium: Anhydrite
- Dimensions: H. 4.3 × W. 9.8 × Dia. 8.5 cm (1 11/16 × 3 7/8 × 3 3/8 in.)
- Credit Line: Theodore M. Davis Collection, Bequest of Theodore M. Davis, 1915
- Object Number: 30.8.139
- Curatorial Department: Egyptian Art
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