Painted in brisk strokes upon a limestone ostracon from Deir el-Medina, two lithe figures whirl their canes in the art of tahtib, a stick-dance still enlivening weddings along the Upper Nile today. The tradition’s pedigree stretches back to the Old Kingdom, with reliefs in the Pyramid of Sahure at Abusir (c. 2500 B.C.) depicting soldiers...
This painted limestone talatat originally came from the dismantled experimental capital of Akhetaten (modern Tel el-Amarna) founded by Akhenaten, but was used as building fodder in Hermopolis, likely during the reign of king Ramesses II. The piece depicts a bald man in a pleated wrapped kilt (shendyt) slaughtering cows. It is possible that the man...
This limestone stela dates from after the twelfth regnal year of king Akhenaten, and it depicts king Amenhotep III, and his Great Royal Wife Tiye. The couple sit under the rays of the Aten, before a grand display of nourishing offerings, in the form of vegetation, grains as well as a floral display of lotus...
This painted limestone statuette depicts an Amarna king, most likely, or even most definitely king Akhenaten. He is depicted in typical ‘Amarna’ style, with his rounded hips and chubby belly. Wearing the Blue Crown of War known to the Egyptians as the “Khepresh”, the king stands with his hands by his side in a pleated...
Fragment of stela with either Akhenaten or Nefertiti seatedNew Kingdom, 18th Dynasty, c. 1372-1355 B.C.Tel el-Amarna. House N.50.22.Formerly in Berlin, Ägyptisches Museum. 22264.Now in Kunsthistorisches Museum, Ägyptisch-Orientalische Sammlung, Vienna. Inv. 8038.
Egyptian blue, also known as calcium copper silicate (CaCuSi4O10 or CaOCuO(SiO2)4 (calcium copper tetrasilicate)) or cuprorivaite, is a pigment that was used in Ancient Egypt for thousands of years. It is considered to be the first synthetic pigment. It was known to the Romans by the name caeruleum. After the Roman era, Egyptian blue fell...
This limestone statuette features a husband, wife and their daughter together for eternity. It dates from the 18th Dynasty was was discovered in Thebes, possibly Deir el-Medina, but uncertain. It measures at 32 x 15.5 x 19.5 cm. The male is painted in traditional Egyptian red, he wears a shoulder length wig with a fringe,...
Measuring at 5’4.75 inches tall, the mummy of Maiherpri showcases a young man of approximately no more than 25-30 years of age. Sadly, little is known about Maiherpri, and the only sources found thus far that give us a little knowledge about him are the titles discovered within his tomb (KV36). Maiherpri’s name translates to...
Among the military equipment found in the tomb of Tutankhamun were eight shields, four of which are ceremonial and are of openwork wood, incised and gilded. On this shield, a winged sun disk curves around the top, protecting the king who is shown with a scimitar in one hand and holding two lions by their...
This wooden face from a coffin is beautifully carved with fine features and a sense of serenity can be felt from the expression and realism of the craftsmanship. The eyes and brows are inlaid with glass. Blue glass fills the brows and liner of the eyes, whereas the eyes themselves are white and black inlay,...
