Ancient Egypt, Pre-Dynastic Period, Naqada I to III, ca. 4000 to 3000 BCE. A bifacial blade known as a peseshkaf or fishtail knife, hand-knapped from creamy brown flint. The blade, as the name suggests, is Y-shaped like a fish tail with serrations notched into the interior curve and outer edges of the two fins. These petite serrations are painstakingly flaked, and demonstrate the skill and control needed to shape such a seemingly simple form. The lower two-thirds of the tang or grip are not serrated. These rare tools may have been used to sever umbilical cords and have been found in tombs where they also served a funerary purpose. They were used in a practice known as "opening of the mouth," an act that marked rebirth, where the deceased's mouth was propped open with the blade so they could speak, breath, and receive sustenance in the afterlife. Size: 4.125" L x 2.3" W (10.5 cm x 5.8 cm)
Provenance: private Toronto, Ontario, Canada collection, by descent, acquired in Egypt in 1894 to 1896
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance),
we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.
Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.
#167189
Condition
Loss to tip of handle as shown. Serrations are mostly intact and very good. Minor surface nicks not from knapping process.