Ceremonial Saw in the Shape of a Ma`at-Feather
Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art
On View: Egyptian Orientation Gallery, 3rd Floor
The unusual shape of this saw’s handle is a reproduction of a Ma`at -feather (an ostrich plume signifying “truth”). This shape suggests that the saw was used for ceremonial purposes, such as preparing meat for sacrifice to a god.
MEDIUM
Bronze
DATES
ca. 1353–1336 B.C.E.
DYNASTY
Dynasty 18
PERIOD
New Kingdom
ACCESSION NUMBER
65.133
CREDIT LINE
Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund
PROVENANCE
Archaeological provenance not yet documented; by 1965, acquired by Kenneth John Hewett of London, England; October 13, 1965, purchased from Kenneth John Hewett by the Brooklyn Museum.
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CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION
Knife-like cutting instrument in bronze consisting of a blade in shape of the m,.t-feather with a finely serrated edge and of a handle in the form of a curved papyrus bundle with umbel, the latter bearing a ring of suspension; all in one piece.
Condition: Good although slightly corroded and discolored in spots. Traced of bronze disease.
CAPTION
Ceremonial Saw in the Shape of a Ma`at-Feather, ca. 1353–1336 B.C.E. Bronze, 12 3/8 x 1 5/8 in. (31.5 x 4.2 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 65.133. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.65.133_erg456.jpg)
IMAGE
overall,
CUR.65.133_erg456.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 5/20/2008
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RIGHTS STATEMENT
Creative Commons-BY
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How integral were acts such as sacrifices to various gods to the daily operations of Egyptian societies?
To be honest, we aren't entirely sure how religion figured into the daily lives of Ancient Egyptians. Most what we know about Ancient Egyptian religion is based on monumental temples and funerary archaeology. An implement like this Ritual Saw in the shape of a Maat Feather would have been used in a temple or other elite
setting.
