Ancient Egyptian mirror handle from Qaw el Kibir dated 1295 – 1186 BC

Female mirror handle, carved in the form of a nude female. Long wig with hatched incised decoration and fillet, fine facial features and eyes filled in with black. Right arm by side, left arm bent across body with hand, which probably held an offering, just below right breast. Hole in top of wig to hold tang of mirror. Finely carved. Bottom part of legs and feet missing.

Object details

  • Reference: BOLMG:1924.31.60
  • Material: hippo ivory
  • Culture: Dynasty 19
  • Period: New Kingdom
  • Excavator: W.M.F. Petrie
  • Dated: 1295 - 1186 BC
  • Object name: mirror handle
  • Dimensions: Height: 167mm , Width: 40mm , Depth: 33mm
  • Published references: Brunton Qau and Badari III p 20 Petrie Tomb Card
  • Site: Qaw el Kibir
  • Latitude: 26.9
  • Longitude: 31.516667