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

Female mirror-handle, carved in the form of a nude female. Wearing a long wig and with fairly crude facial features, right arm by side and left arm bent across the body with left hand just below the right breast. Legs closed together. Hole drilled in top of wig to hold tang of mirror and hole drilled between feet, perhaps for suspension of carrying. Finely carved and polished.

Object details

  • Reference: BOLMG:1923.21.50
  • Material: elephant ivory
  • Culture: Dynasty 19
  • Period: New Kingdom
  • Excavator: Guy Brunton
  • Dated: 1295 - 1186 BC
  • Object name: mirror handle
  • Dimensions: Width: 25mm , Depth: 15mm , Length: 101mm
  • Published references: Brunton Qau and Badari III pp 18 - 20
  • Site: Qaw el Kibir
  • Latitude: 26.9
  • Longitude: 31.516667