Artifacts

Pectoral of Princess Sithathor

The frame of this pectoral of Princess Sithathor is topped by a cavetto cornice. Below, at the center of the piece, is a cartouche of Senusret II, surmounted by the hieroglyphic symbol for gods. On either side of the cartouche is a hawk, each wearing the Double Crown of Upper and Lower Egypt, and standing...

Statue of Nespaqashuty, son of Nespamedou. Egyptian Museum, Cairo. JE 36665

Statue of the scribe Nespaqashuty, Son of Nespamedou

In this well modeled and polished statue, the vizier Nespaqashuty is depicted as a scribe. He is seated with crossed legs on the pedestal, but with neither a roll of papyrus nor a pen. He is wearing a shoulder length striped wig and a short kilt with a broad belt. His face has a slim,...

Block Statue of Senenmut and Neferure

Block Statue of Senenmut and Neferure

This block statue or cube statue shows Senenmut with the features of a young man: full cheeks in a smooth round face, wide-open eyes with long lashes executed in relief, large ears, and a small, straight, full mouth. As Senenmut was her tutor, the princess’ head emerges from his mantle. An indication of her position...

Group Statue of Ramesses III with Horus and Seth

Statue of Ramesses III with Horus and Seth

In this rare granite ensemble from Medinet Habu, king Ramesses III stands majestically between two ancient rivals, Horus and Seth; gods far more accustomed to crossing spears than sharing a plinth. All three figures rise to roughly equal height, carved fully in the round, their left legs striding forward in timeless assertion. The pharaoh, clad...

Statue of Queen Meritamen

Statue of Queen Meritamen

Queen Meritamen was both the daughter, and sometime after the death of Nefertari, her mother, became the Great Royal Wife of her father, Ramesses II. The painted decorations of this statue fragment is still well preserved. Her smile, in particular, is similar to that on a number of statues of Ramesses II. On top of...

Pectoral of Osiris, Isis and Nephthys

Pectoral of Tutankhamun with Osiris, Isis and Nephthys

The pectoral of Tutankhamun looks at first glance to be presenting the goddesses Wadjet and Nekhbet, the symbols of Upper and Lower Egypt, standing on either side of Osiris. However, the hieroglyphic inscriptions beside them state that they are in fact Isis (next to the vulture) and Nephthys (next to the cobra). Goddess Isis wears...

Head of an Amarnian princess, probably Meritaten. Egyptian Museum, Cairo. JE 44869

Head of Amarna Princess, probably Meritaten

This yellow-brown quartzite head of a princess is probably Meritaten, the eldest daughter of Akhenaten. It was excavated by the Deutsche Orient-Gesellschaft in 1912 in a studio of the chief sculptor Thutmose at Tell el-Amarna. The head is from a composite statue where different pieces were sculpted separately and joined together. The skull is elongated...

Statuette of Tutankhamun on a Funerary Bed

This statuette depicts king Tutankhamun upon his funerary bed. The king is shown mummified in the Osiride royal form, with his hands crossed over his chest. Tutankhamun is lying on a splendidly decorated funerary bed decorated with two lion’s heads. The bed is engraved with funerary formula and prayer to accompany the king upon his...

Mummy of King Amenhotep I

Mummy of Amenhotep I

The Mummy of Amenhotep I was originally buried at Dra’ Abu el-Naga’. During the 21st Dynasty, the mummy, which was in poor condition, was moved to the Deir el-Bahari Royal Cachette (DB320). The mummy was carefully wrapped in bandages and covered with a mask, which is still in place together with garlands of flowers. An...

Mask of Tutankhamun

Mask of Tutankhamun

The gold funerary mask of Tutankhamun is an example of the highest artistic and technical achievements of the ancient Egyptians in the New Kingdom. The exact portrayal of the king’s facial features achieved here made it possible for his soul to recognize him and return to his mummified body. Thus ensuring his resurrection. After being...