With a quiet dignity and timeless simplicity, this finely carved wooden statue of Nakhti, a man of status in Middle Egypt, stands poised with his left foot slightly advanced, a convention in Ancient Egyptian art that gently implies vitality, movement, and readiness for eternity, often referred to as the “striding pose”. Discovered nestled beside his...
This finely carved sandstone group statue, dating from the 12th Dynasty of Egypt’s Middle Kingdom (c. 1981–1802 B.C.), portrays Senbebu, an Overseer of Stonemasons, seated prominently between two women. The figure to his left is likely his wife, Abetib, while the woman to his right is named Peryt. Senbebu held a distinguished title that indicates...
A model domestic figure is a small, carved representation of a person (often crafted from wood and painted) that was placed in Ancient Egyptian tombs to symbolise aspects of daily life. These figures typically depict servants, labourers, or household workers engaged in domestic or agricultural tasks such as grinding grain, baking bread, brewing beer, carrying...
The Seated Statue of the Steward Sehetepibreankh is a notable example of Middle Kingdom Egyptian sculpture, dating to approximately 1919–1885 B.C. during the reign of Amenemhat II. This limestone statue was excavated in 1923–24 from Pit 6L.P19 in the tomb of Sehetepibreankh at Lisht South, located in the Memphite region of Egypt. The statue exemplifies...
Nestled within the esteemed halls of The Metropolitan Museum of Art resides a resplendent artefact from Ancient Egypt: the jewellery chest of Princess Sithathoryunet. Crafted during the Middle Kingdom, specifically the 12th Dynasty (c.1887–1813 B.C.), this exquisite chest exemplifies the opulence and artistry of its era. Discovered in a concealed niche within Sithathoryunet’s tomb near...
The Semna Boundary Stela of Senwosret III holds one of the most significant inscriptions from Ancient Egypt’s Middle Kingdom. It stands as a powerful testament to the king’s military dominance and nationalistic ideology. Discovered at the Semna fortress, located in Nubia near the Second Cataract of the Nile, the stela served both as a territorial...
This anklet belonged to Princess Sithathoriunet, a figure from ancient Egypt’s Middle Kingdom, specifically the 12th Dynasty, dating back to 1887-1813 BC, indicating its historical significance. One of two amethyst and gold anklets which were likely worn by the princess during a religious ritual or state ceremony. Princess Sithathoriunet was an ancient Egyptian royal figure,...
The necklace of Khenmet is surmounted by a strand of gold beads of increasing diameter towards the centre, consisting of six rows of gold beads. Four rows are formed by the succession of the hieroglyphs ankh, was, djed, symbolising life, power, stability respectively. At the ends of the necklace are attached two exquisite gold falcon...
In this relief Amenemhat I is shown celebrating his thirty-year jubilee (Sed Festival), ritually demonstrating that he was still vigorous and fit to rule. The king is flanked by the jackal-headed god Anubis and the falcon-headed Horus, deities closely associated with coronation rituals; each god offers him an ankh, the hieroglyph for life. To the...
With a board carved in the shape of an axe-blade, and resting upon legs shaped in the form of bull’s legs, this game of Hounds & Jackals also comes with a pull-out drawer to hold the pieces; 5 jackals and 5 hounds. This set of the game Hounds and Jackals was unearthed in 1910 by...
