Stool of Tutankhamun with Sema Tawy Symbol

The stool of Tutankhamun is made of wood and covered in gold leaf, showcasing the exquisite craftsmanship of ancient Egyptian artisans. The elements of the stool are joined to each other with copper pins. The chair’s legs were modeled to look like the legs of a lion. The lion held a privileged status in ancient Egypt, regarded as the fiercest warrior in the wild and a symbol of both danger and protection.

The stool is decorated with sema tawy symbol of the unification Upper and Lower Egypt. The four sides of this wooden stool, painted white, are decorated with the symbol of the unification of Upper and Lower Egypt. It is gilded with gold sheet.

Stool of Tutankhamun with Sema Tawy Symbol. Egyptian Museum, Cairo. JE 62039

The stool, also known as the “Golden Stool” was discovered in Tutankhamun’s tomb in the Valley of the Kings by archaeologist Howard Carter in 1922.

Related: Armchair of Queen Hetepheres I

Egyptian chairs were constructed with a variety of materials with wood often as the base material. For extra comfort, seats could be outfitted with cordage, as well as covered with cloth or leather.

The sema tawy symbol consists of a windpipe entwined with lotus and papyrus plants, floral symbols that respectively represent Upper and Lower Egypt.

The Egyptian title zmꜣ-tꜣwj (Egyptological pronunciation sema tawy) is usually translated as “Uniter of the Two Lands” and was depicted as a human trachea entwined with the papyrus and lily plant. The trachea stood for unification, while the papyrus and lily plant represent Lower and Upper Egypt.

The Stool of Tutankhamun is considered a significant archaeological find, providing insights into the art, culture, and royal lifestyle of ancient Egypt during the New Kingdom period.