A stout man, bald and adorned in pleated linens, Pakherenkhonsu, is depicted striding forth with a broom in one hand, showcasing his temple duties as the “Doorkeeper of the House of Amun“. We can presume Pakherenkhonsu’s job consisted of securing the sanctuary, as well as maintaining the surroundings; keeping things tidy and righteous for the...
This intricately cut copper alloy relief, dated stylistically to the 25th–26th Dynasties (c. 760–526 B.C.), portrays a Nubian male in a loincloth, carrying a basket, with a monkey perched on his shoulder. Its flat back and low thickness (0.8 cm) suggest it was designed to be affixed to a flat surface, such as a wooden...
The limestone ostracon (Musée du Louvre. E 14337) from Deir el-Medina, depicting a woman presenting a cup and vase before a figure holding a smoking bowl, likely represents a domestic or ritual offering scene. The woman’s pleated dress, perfume cone, and lotus flower suggest she is engaged in a ceremonial act, perhaps making an offering...
In the times of Ancient Egypt, the Sinai Peninsula was known by several evocative names, each reflecting its character and significance. The most enduring term was Mafkat, meaning “Land of Turquoise,” a nod to its famed turquoise mines in the southern regions near Serabit el-Khadim and Wadi Maghareh (Egyptian Arabic: “Valley of the Caves”). An...
This delicate Middle Kingdom limestone figurine (E 8000), dating from approximately 2035–1680 B.C., depicts a nude woman standing with truncated legs, wearing a tripartite wig, a cowrie shell belt, and a broad necklace, while tenderly carrying a small child. The figure’s soft curves, subtle modelling, and the inclusion of symbolic jewellery;particularly the cowrie shell belt,...
Few creatures captivate the imagination quite like the cat. From the earliest days along the Nile’s fertile banks, the Ancient Egyptians observed the elegance, agility, and protective instincts of wild cats that prowled the granaries and fields. Over time, these graceful hunters became more than companions, they evolved into powerful symbols of fertility, domestic harmony,...
Standing 24.3 cm tall, the figure depicts the goddess with arms dangling, wearing a long robe and holding an ankh, the symbol of life. The eyes, once inlaid, hint at the statuette’s original vivid detail. The statuette is crafted from stone, though the specific type is not identified in available records. Hieroglyphic inscriptions name king...
Amenhotep III, often hailed as the Dazzling Sun King, was a monarch whose reign illuminated Egypt with an unparalleled splendour of construction and artistry. His legacy cast a long shadow, inspiring later pharaohs such as Ramesses the Great to emulate his grandeur. Colossal statues bearing his likeness once dominated the Egyptian horizon, while minute treasures...
This exquisite faience bowl (Met Museum. 26.7.905) stands as one of the more generous examples of its kind, often charmingly referred to as the “marsh bowl” or “nun-bowl”. Its outer surface is adorned with a radiant display of Egyptian blue lotus petals and sepals, whose natural purple speckles have been rendered as delicate painted dashes....
This exquisite composite statue element, dating to the early 18th Dynasty (c.1550–1425 B.C.), represents the iconic khepresh or blue crown of war, fashioned from siliceous earthenware and adorned with a copper alloy uraeus. Though the once-vivid blue of this piece has faded into a swampy green reminiscent of marsh waters, rather than the pure, life-giving...
