Collection
/
Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

Pair of Clappers

ca. 1936–1630 B.C.E.

1 of 2

Object Label

Clappers were percussion instruments played by women and used to keep the rhythm in both sacred and secular music. Musicians even played mood music in erotic situations depicted in some tombs. Singing appropriate songs also eased the pains of childbirth. Thus these musical instruments were a valued addition to objects in the tomb, where conception and birth were essential to entering the afterlife.

Caption

Pair of Clappers, ca. 1936–1630 B.C.E.. Bone, pigment, 6 1/8 in. (15.6 cm) 6 1/16 in. (15.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 58.28.7a-b. (Photo: Brooklyn Museum)

Gallery

Not on view

Title

Pair of Clappers

Date

ca. 1936–1630 B.C.E.

Dynasty

Dynasty 12-13

Period

Middle Kingdom

Medium

Bone, pigment

Classification

Musical Instrument

Dimensions

6 1/8 in. (15.6 cm) 6 1/16 in. (15.4 cm)

Credit Line

Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund

Accession Number

58.28.7a-b

Frequent Art Questions

  • Are the circular patterns meant to represent jewelry or tattoos? Or just cool decoration?

    They certainly are an intentional representation of some type of adornment. They were modeled after a depiction of human hands, a woman's hands quite likely, and have a similar shape to the way the hands are depicted on the coffin of Lady Weretwahset, which dates to the same period.
    While there has been some evidence for tattooing or other sorts of body decoration in ancient Egypt, I can't say for sure if that's appearing here.

  • From ancient Egypt, objects carved out of bone are...animal bone? Has carving human bone has ever been an art form? *shiver*

    In terms of ancient Egypt, it was definitely animal bone that was used.
    Art made from human bone does exist, though. For example, it can be used to make Buddhist ritual implements in Tibet. Art can be made from almost anything, and humans are endlessly creative!
    Indeed! Thanks

  • Why did the ancient Egyptian women use clappers?

    Clappers were actually percussion instruments used by women to keep rhythm in sacred and secular music. Musicians even played mood music in erotic situations, which is sometimes depicted in tombs.
    That made these objects valuable for inclusion in a burial, where conception and birth were essential to entering the afterlife.
    Interesting, got it! Thank you

  • What are these supposed to be?

    These hand clappers are, as you can see, modeled after human hands. Clappers like this were percussion instruments used by women to keep rhythm in sacred and secular musical performances.
    Musicians would even play mood music during erotic situations, explaining why these objects would have been included in a tomb, where conception and rebirth were essential parts of the journey to the afterlife.

Have information?

Have information about an artwork? Contact us at

bkmcollections@brooklynmuseum.org.