Artwork
Drilling a Stone Vase, Tomb of Rekhmire
Drilling a Stone Vase, Tomb of Rekhmire is an unspecified painting by Nina M. Davies. It dates from 1504 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The scene depicts an artisan drilling a stone vase in a tomb workshop, illustrating the specialized craft of hard-stone working during the New Kingdom.
The scene depicts an artisan drilling a stone vase in a tomb workshop, illustrating the specialized craft of hard-stone working during the New Kingdom. The artisan is shown seated and operating a bow drill, a tool used to hollow and shape hard stones such as breccia or schist. The presence of the vase on a stand emphasizes the technical skill required to create such vessels, which were often placed in elite tombs as offerings or for ritual use.
The composition underscores themes of craftsmanship and the transmission of technical knowledge, common in tomb decoration that celebrates the deceased’s status and the prosperity of their era. The depiction aligns with broader New Kingdom funerary art, where scenes of craft production symbolize the continuity of life and the deceased’s enduring role in the afterlife through their skilled contributions.
History & Provenance
The painting Drilling a Stone Vase, Tomb of Rekhmire is a modern facsimile created by Nina M. Davies in 1931, based on scenes from the tomb of Rekhmire (TT 100) in Theban Tomb 100, dating to the mid-18th Dynasty (c. 1479–1425 BCE).
The work was commissioned and produced as part of a broader program of archaeological facsimiles executed by Nina and her husband, Norman de Garis Davies, for the Metropolitan Museum of Art (MET). It was formally accessioned into the museum’s collection on June 30, 1931, as object 31.6.13.
Overview
The painting Drilling a Stone Vase, Tomb of Rekhmire, created by Nina M. Davies in 1504, depicts a moment of ancient Egyptian craftsmanship. This artwork captures an artisan intently engaged in shaping a stone vessel, offering a glimpse into the specialized skills of the period. It is currently housed within the extensive collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Technique & Style
Davies employed simple lines and a palette of earthy tones to render the scene. The warm background complements the natural hues of the stone vase, contributing to a sense of tranquility. This stylistic approach emphasizes the focused concentration of the artisan, creating a serene and direct portrayal of the ancient craft.
Artist & collection
Artist
The Egyptologists Nina M. Davies (6 January 1881 – 21 April 1965) and Norman de Garis Davies (1865–5 November 1941) were a married couple of illustrators and copyists who worked in the early and mid-twentieth century…
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