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Perfume Vessel in the Shape of Two Trussed Ducks

Late Second Intermediate Period
ca. 1580–1550 B.C.
Not on view
The flask - delicately carved from the rare stone material anhydrite - has the form of a pair of trussed ducklings placed back-to-back. Their necks arch far from the bodies and the joints of their legs make four little knuckles for the vessel to stad on. The birds' eyes are inlaid with copper. Trussed duck were a common offering to the dead. It is, therefore, possible that this vessel, although originally without doubt containing a cosmetic substance, was made for the tomb and not to be used in daily life. Vessels of this material were formerly thought to be of Middle Kingdom date. More recent studies have shown that they should be placed into the late Second Intermediate Period.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Perfume Vessel in the Shape of Two Trussed Ducks
  • Period: Late Second Intermediate Period
  • Dynasty: Dynasty 17
  • Date: ca. 1580–1550 B.C.
  • Geography: From Egypt, Upper Egypt, Thebes, Sheikh Abd el-Qurna, Tomb near the Ramesseum (?), Mond excavations (?), 1902–1925
  • Medium: Anhydrite, eyes inlaid with a porous material inside copper rims
  • Dimensions: H. 17.1 × W. 15.4 × D. 9.3 cm (6 3/4 × 6 1/16 × 3 11/16 in.)
  • Credit Line: Gift of Edward S. Harkness, 1927
  • Object Number: 27.9.1
  • Curatorial Department: Egyptian Art

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