Another object found between the two outer shrines
was this
perfume vase, made of four pieces of
alabaster cemented together. The idea conveyed by
its symbolism is that the Nile will provide the king
and queen, whose names are inscribed on the vase,
with its contents. The vulture with the so-called atef crown on its head represents either
Mut or
Nekhbet protecting the perfume. Flanking the vase
are two deities with pendulous breasts and
potbellies, both named
Hapi, who personify the
Nile
and its fertility. They are differentiated by the
lily and
papyrus clusters on their heads as Hapi of
Upper Egypt and Hapi of Lower Egypt.
The two
divisions of the country and its Nile are further
symbolized by the lily and papyrus stems tied to the
neck of the vase and held by the two Hapis, each of
whom also supports a column representing a single
stem and flower of one of the same plants,
surmounted by a cobra wearing the crown of Upper and
Lower Egypt. In the openwork panels of the stand
beneath the vase are figures of falcons with solar
disks mounted on the
hieroglyphic sign for "gold",
protecting with their outspread wings the cartouches
inscribed with the king's names and flanked by
scepters which symbolize "dominion". The piece is
embellished with gold and painted ivory.