Dancers in the tomb of Urienptah

Purchased by the British Museum from the Government of the British Protectorate of Egypt in 1904, this limestone scene and false door from the Mastaba tomb of Urienptah showcases the Old Kingdom traditional funerary art in a splendid display.

Two ladies clap while the dancers perform. Tomb of Urienptah

The women have short cropped hair, possibly capped wigs, and long fitted dresses that hit their ankles. The crop of the dress showcases the anklets (jewellery) adorning their ankles. They are bare foot dancing with their arms in the air. Two women clap beside them, possibly singing.

Dancers in the tomb of Urienptah — False door from the Mastaba tomb of Urienptah. British Museum. EA718

The full scene is surrounding the false door devoted to Urirenptah and Khentetkaus. The British Museum writes, “the small band providing the music for the feast is represented: it consists of a flautist, a harpist, and two men making movements of the hands. Four ladies dance to the music and they are shown in the next register below; their dancing is further accompanied by the rhythmic clapping of two other ladies who are also shown in the register.”