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Flint pesesh-kef inscribed for Khufu

Object(s) photograph: Site: Giza; view: Menkaure valley temple

Fine-grained flint wand (pesesh-kef) inscribed with name of Khufu. (Ritual wand used in "Opening of the Mouth" ceremony.) [08-7-31]

Details

  • ID
    MFAB_11.765
  • Department
    Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
  • Classification
    Tools & Equipment-Ritual implements
  • Findspot
    Menkaure Valley Temple (MVT / on wall between magazines III 7 and III 8)
  • Material
    Flint
  • Dimensions
    Height x width x depth: 18.3 x 2.8 x 0.4 cm (7 3/16 x 1 1/8 x 3/16 in.)
  • Credit Line
    Harvard University–Boston Museum of Fine Arts Expedition
  • Object Ownership Information
    MFA
  • Period
    Old Kingdom, Dynasty 4, reign of Khufu
  • Owner
    Khufu
  • Notes
    This object was excavated by the Harvard University–Boston Museum of Fine Arts Expedition, but was not recorded in any object register book. 1908: Excavated by the Harvard University–Museum of Fine Arts Expedition; 1911: assigned to the MFA in the division of finds by the government of Egypt. (Accession date: March 2, 1911)
  • Remarks
    Registration number obtained from publication; no registration records available for 1908. Opening of the Mouth set includes: MFA 11.765 (flint pesesh-kef), MFA 11.767, MFA 11.768, MFA 11.769 (three basalt model cups), MFA 11.770 (quartz crystal model cup), MFA 11.771 (alabaster model bottle), MFA 11.772 (basalt model bottle).

Tombs and Monuments 1

Published Documents 4

Full Bibliography

  • Dunham, Dows & William J. Young. "An Occurrence of Iron in the Fourth Dynasty." Journal of Egyptian Archaeology 28 (1942), pp. 57-58, pl. VI, bottom.

    Markowitz, Yvonne J., Joyce L. Haynes, and Rita E. Freed. Egypt in the Age of the Pyramids: Highlights from the Harvard University–Museum of Fine Arts, Boston Expedition. Boston: MFA Publications, 2002, p. 69, cat. 17a.

    Reisner, George A. Mycerinus: The Temples of the Third Pyramid at Giza. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1931, p. 36 (July 19), p. 233, p. 263, pl. 61e, f, 65a, b.

    Roth, Ann Macy. "Fingers, Stars, and the 'Opening of the Mouth': the Nature and Function of the nTrwj-blades." Journal of Egyptian Archaeology 79 (1993), p. 73.

    Roth, Ann Macy. "The PsS-kf and the 'Opening of the Mouth' Ceremony: A Ritual of Birth and Rebirth." Journal of Egyptian Archaeology 78 (1992), p. 116.

    Thomas, Nancy, ed. The American Discovery of Ancient Egypt. Los Angeles: Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 1995, p. 122, cat. 36.

People 1

Ancient People

  • Khufu

    • Type Owner
    • Remarks Second king of Dynasty 4, son of Snefru. Builder of the Great Pyramid at Giza, the only one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World still standing. Known two thousand years later by the Greeks as King Cheops. Horus name: [mDdw] Medjedu. Full birth-name: Khnum-Khufu.