Pair of Clappers

These clappers in the form of human hands were carved from a single hippopotamus tusk that was split in half. Such percussion instruments were used to keep time during dances or as part of a musical ensemble. These examples, however, were found in a miniature coffin at Amarna and seem to have been part of an offering.

In ancient Egypt, clappers were a type of percussion instrument often used in religious and ceremonial contexts. They were typically made of wood, ivory, or metal and consisted of two parts that were struck together to create a clapping sound. Clappers were commonly used in temples, rituals, and festivals to accompany chants, music, and dances.

The clappers could be small handheld instruments or larger, more decorative versions. They were often associated with the goddess Hathor, who was the goddess of music, dance, and joy. In some depictions, clappers were even shown in the hands of dancers or musicians in tombs and temple reliefs.

In ancient Egypt they were more than just musical instruments—they had symbolic and ritual significance, often linked to the divine and the afterlife. They were closely associated with temple rituals and were sometimes used to create an atmosphere of rhythm and energy during ceremonies dedicated to the gods.

New Kingdom, 18th Dynasty, Amarna Period, reign of Akhenaten, ca. 1353-1336 BC. Now in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. 32.5.2a, b