\paperw4260 \margr0\margl0 \plain \fs20 \f1 This relief shows various stages in the production of \i lirinon\i0 , an essence of lily that the Egyptians used to sprinkle themselve
s at banquets.\par
In the surviving fragment, a woman is carrying the freshly-picked flowers in a basket balanced on her head; in the middle, two women are operating a press. The petals are placed in a sort of canvas bag with a stick inserted at each en
d. When the sticks were twisted, the bag was squeezed and the juice from the flowers was collected in the amphora underneath.\par
It is likely that these women are slaves. Their features and curly hair suggest that they come from Ethiopia. The large rin
gs attached to their hair bands are probably neckbands that they have removed so that they do not get in the way of their work.\par
This relief, along with another relief decorated with similar scenes in the Louvre, comes from a tomb where it served as
the lintel over a door.\par
It is probably a symbolic representation of the offering of ointment to the deceased.\par
