147 - An Egyptian Wood and Bronze Dagger with an Inscribed Handle

An Egyptian Wood and Bronze Dagger with an Inscribed Handle New Kingdom, 20th Dynasty, Reign of Rameses V, 1156-1151 B.C. Length 32 cm (12 5/8 inches). Provenance: Private Collection, France, acquired in Egypt in the 1940s and exported in the 1960s. Christie's, New York, Antiquities: Including Property from the Collection of Max Palevsky, 9 December 2010, Lot 14. Few objects from Egypt can be tied to a single short reign, but this dagger carries the names of its king. The bronze blade, with a strong midrib on each face, is riveted to a wooden handle whose grip is carved with the frontal head of Hathor, her broad bovine ears and heavy wig framed by a naos headdress. Below, a hieroglyphic inscription in two registers gives the prenomen and nomen of Rameses V, who reigned for only some four years. Hathor, goddess of love, music and joy and also a protector of the king, was a common choice for the handles of personal objects. Her face here, joined to the royal names, suggests an object made in a royal context or meant to show loyalty to the king, though whether it was used as a weapon, a ceremonial piece or a votive is still an open question.