12th Dynasty

Guardian Figure probably Amenemhat II or Senusret II

Wooden Figure wears the red Deshret crown

This figure wears the red Deshret crown of Lower Egypt and the face appears to reflect the features of the reigning king, most probably Amenemhat II or Senusret II. However, the divine kilt suggests that the statuette was not merely a representation of the living ruler. Together with its counterpart wearing the white Hedjet crown...

Pectoral of Sithathoriunet

Pectoral and Necklace of Princess Sithathoriunet

The pectoral of of Sithathoriunet is composed around the throne name of King Senusret II. It was found among the jewelry of Princess Sithathoriunet in a special niche of her underground tomb beside the pyramid of Senusret II at Lahun. Hieroglyphic signs make up the design, and the whole may be read: “The god of...

Usekh Collar of Princess Neferuptah

Usekh Collar of Princess Neferuptah

The Usekh collar of Princess Neferuptah was made of gold, carnelian, feldspar, and fired glass paste (faience). Two smaller chains of beads are attached to the falcons, leading to a counterpoise, which also bears the image of a falcon, with further horizontal rows of beads hanging from it. At the bottom of the collar, teardrop...

Necklace of Princess Khenmet

Necklace of Princess Khenmet

This beautiful necklace of Princess Khenmet was found on her mummy. It was worn by the deceased princess not only as jewelry, but also as an amulet to protect her from the evil powers in the netherworld. It is formed of a series of amulets on either side of a central composition. They are arranged...

Statue of King Senusret I

Wooden Statue of Senusret I

This small wooden statue of King Senusret I was found in a private tomb. It consists of several pieces joined together with wooden pins. His body is muscular and his feet, attached to a rectangular base, are bare. The exposed skin is painted a dark reddish-brown. The sculpture is in excellent condition, and is almost...

Dancing Pygmies

Dancing Pygmies

This ivory artifact, discovered inside a tomb of a young girl called Hapy, shows three pygmies in a dancing stance. Each one of them is standing on a round base with anklets on their legs. As this is a child’s toy, a system of strings threaded through holes and around a pulley makes the figures...

Model of a Sailing Boat

Model of a Sailing Boat

A middle kingdom wooden model of a sailing boat with the pilot in the bow and the owner resting under a canopy. Boats were the commonest type of funerary models placed in tombs during the Middle Kingdom. They provided the dead person with the magical means of traveling along the waterways of the Underworld. All...

Pectoral of King Amenemhat III

Pectoral of Amenemhat III

A 12th dynasty Egyptian Middle Kingdom pectoral belonging to princess Mereret, the daughter of king Senusret III and sister of king Amenemhat III. The pectoral shows the cartouche or royal name of king Amenemhat III and depicts this king triumphantly defeating his enemies. “The king himself appears on either side in a stance familiar to...

Diadem of Princess Khenmet

Diadem of Princess Khenmet

A gold diadem of Princess Khenmet, possibly daughter of King Amenemhat II. She is mainly known from her unrobbed tomb containing a set of outstanding personal adornments. This masterpiece was found in the tomb of Khnemet and her sister Princess Ita in Dahshur. The crown is made of a network of interlaced gold wires that entangle...

Model of a cattle census. Tomb of Meketre (TT280). Egyptian Museum, Cairo. JE 46724

Model of a Cattle Census

This large model shows a courtyard where the inspection of cattle took place. Meketre, his son, and four scribes sit under a columned canopy with scribes and guards standing nearby. Cattle are driven before them by several farmers and herdsmen in order to be counted for inspection purposes. All men are wearing short kilts and...