Egypt Museum

Golden diadem and hair ornaments belonging to Lady Senebtisi

Golden diadem and hair ornaments belonging to Lady Senebtisi (daughter of Apis, Lady of the House)
Middle Kingdom, 12th Dynasty, c. 1859–1770 B.C.
Burial spot discovered within Vizier Senwosret’s (vizier under Senwosret I) funerary complex, el-Lisht, Egypt.

Unfortunately, since the discovery of her tomb in 1907, little has been discovered about Lady Senebtisi, but she lives on through the delicate and beautiful items bestowed upon her body and within her tomb; such as; wig ornaments, diadems, usekh collars, armlets, anklets and even weaponry.

Despite her title of “Lady of the House”, Lady Senebtisi’s tomb shows no family information; there is no reference to children, husband, or any other type of relative. This doesn’t mean she didn’t have any family, it is just not knowable at this time. The mystery of who Lady Senebtisi was or her status in society still creates varied theories and thoughts among Egyptologists, 100+ years after her discovery.

Here we see the ornaments present on a replica bust of Nefertiti, photographed in Cairo by Albert Shoucair for the book for the book Jewels of the Pharaohs by Cyril Aldred, 1971.
(Here we see the ornaments present on a replica bust of Nefertiti, photographed in Cairo by Albert Shoucair for the book for the book Jewels of the Pharaohs by Cyril Aldred, 1971. Thames and London Limited. Lady Senebtisi’s items are now on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.)

Summary:
Golden diadem and hair ornaments belonging to Lady Senebtisi (daughter of Apis, Lady of the House)
Middle Kingdom, 12th Dynasty, c. 1859–1770 B.C.
Burial spot discovered within Vizier Senwosret’s (vizier under Senwosret I) funerary complex, el-Lisht, Egypt.

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