Description:

Egypt, New Kingdom, Ramesside Period, ca. 1292 to 1070 BCE. A remarkably rare Egyptian bronze embalmer's knife, its crescentic blade and elegantly curving handle forming an object of both ritual and refinement. Cast in bronze, the blade sweeps forward in a wide arc, terminating in a sharpened edge designed for use in the sacred act of embalming. The hilt rises in a long, slender curve, capped with a lotus-bud finial, a symbolic flourish alluding to rebirth and regeneration. Subtle incised decoration at the junction of the handle and blade adds texture and ceremonial gravity. Such knives were not instruments of violence but tools of sanctity, employed by priests during mummification to prepare the body for eternity. Their unique shape and specialized function set them apart from ordinary blades, situating them firmly in the sphere of ritual practice. The form recalls depictions in funerary reliefs and echoes the central role of embalming in Egyptian conceptions of the afterlife. Size: 18.25" L x 6" W x 0.8" H (46.4 cm x 15.2 cm x 2 cm)

A fine example of Ramesside bronze work, this piece embodies the blend of utility, symbolism, and artistry that marked the material culture of the New Kingdom. Its survival offers a direct link to the ritual world of ancient embalmers, whose craft was considered essential to the eternal journey of the deceased.

Cf. Musee du Louvre, N 2116 ; LP 317.

Provenance: ex-Swiss collection, 1970s to1980s

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#196870

  • Condition: Professionally repaired, restored, and repatinated. Some chips to blade and weathering to surface.

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September 18, 2025 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

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$0 $299 $25
$300 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $20,000