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Cosmetic Box of Kemeni and Mirror of Reniseneb

Middle Kingdom
ca. 1814–1805 B.C.
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 111
Middle Kingdom high officials possessed a variety of luxury goods that were used in life but were also appropriate for a tomb. The box belonged to the royal butler Kemeni, who is depicted on one end making offerings to the deified king Amenemhat IV. It originally contained eight jars, likely filled with sacred oils used in funerary rituals. An official named Reniseneb owned the mirror, which had solar and afterlife symbolism.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Cosmetic Box of Kemeni and Mirror of Reniseneb
  • Period: Middle Kingdom
  • Dynasty: Dynasty 12
  • Reign: reign of Amenemhat IV
  • Date: ca. 1814–1805 B.C.
  • Geography: From Egypt, Upper Egypt, Thebes, Asasif, Birabi, pit tomb CC 25, debris, Carnarvon/Carter excavations, 1910
  • Medium: Cedar, with ebony and ivory veneer and silver mounting
  • Dimensions: L. 28.5 cm (11 1/4 in.); W. 17.7 cm (6 15/16 in.); H. 20.3 cm (8 in.)
  • Credit Line: Purchase, Edward S. Harkness Gift, 1926
  • Object Number: 26.7.1438-related
  • Curatorial Department: Egyptian Art

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Cosmetic Box of the Royal Butler Kemeni, Cedar, with ebony and ivory veneer and silver mounts
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