Despite the front of the statue having extensive damage, the back provides us with quite a bit of information about Minmose, thanks to the wonderful inscriptions having survived. Minmose’s primary titles reveal his close association with the cult of Osiris; the deity central to Egyptian beliefs about resurrection and the afterlife. He is described as...
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...
This finely crafted statuette, carved from persea wood (Mimusops cf. laurifolia) and dating to the late 18th Dynasty (c. 1327–1295 B.C.), depicts a man in a composed striding pose. With one foot foward, he strides forth into eternity. Despite damaged, his refined image and the craftsmanship that went into creating this mini masterpiece is still...
Ducks, in the Egyptian imagination, fluttered not only through the marshes of the Nile but also through the very fabric of their art, architecture, and personal possessions. In Tutankhamun’s tomb, exquisite wooden duck toys, beautifully painted to mimic the vibrant plumage of real ducks, were discovered nestled among his treasures. These toys, perhaps crafted for...
This blue glazed amuletic wand or throw stick, inscribed for king Akhenaten with the protective Wedjat-eye, showcases the evolving artistic and ritual sensibilities of the Amarna Period. Unlike earlier boomerang-shaped hunting sticks, its shallow curve and delicate form suggest a ceremonial or symbolic function, perhaps as a ritual baton or club. Each side is adorned...
A masterpiece of both delicate craftsmanship and regal symbolism, this ring, fashioned from gold in hollow bas-relief, boasts an intricate rectangular bezel framed by added spirals and stops, with a swollen, almost sculptural band that suggests opulence and command. Upon its surface, hieroglyphs elegantly proclaim Horemheb’s coronation name, accompanied by depictions of a scorpion, crocodile,...
Khaemhat, also known as Mahu, was a high-ranking official who flourished during the reign of Amenhotep III in the 14th century B.C., a period often celebrated as the apogee of Ancient Egypt’s imperial splendour and artistic refinement. Holding the esteemed title of “Overseer of the Granaries of Upper and Lower Egypt“, Khaemhat occupied a position...
Nestled within the arid cliffs of Deir el-Medina, on the west bank of the Nile opposite modern-day Luxor, lies Theban Tomb 8 (TT8), the final resting place of Kha, a distinguished overseer of royal tomb construction, and his wife, Merit. This tomb, remarkably preserved and untouched by ancient looters, offers an unparalleled glimpse into the...
