Libation Vessel of Manuwai, Dynasty 18, Reign of Thutmose III, Egypt, ca. 1479–1425 B.C.

Manuwai was one of three minor wives of Thutmose III whose names suggest that they came from western Asia. When these non-Egyptian women died, they were mummified and buried with the same equipment one would expect to find the tomb of a native Egyptian queen. Among other things, each was provided with a silver canister like this one, which is similar in shape to a type of libation vessel, but has no spout (see also 18.8.20a, b and 19.8.22a, b).

The inscription on this vessel reads, “Given as a blessing of the King to the King’s Wife, Manuwai, justified.” The foreign name can be seen in the column of text on the left written phonetically in hieroglyphs. For objects recording the names of the other two wives, see 18.8.5a, b and 26.8.144.