18th Dynasty

Family portrait of Akhenaten, Nefertiti & daughter

Family portrait of Akhenaten, Nefertiti & daughter

Triad family portrait of Akhenaten, Nefertiti and daughter holding handsNew Kingdom, 18th Dynasty, c. 1353-1336 B.C. King Akhenaten and his wife Nefertiti are believed to have had at least six daughters together. They were: Meritaten, Meketaten, Ankhesenpaaten (who changed her name Ankhesenamun and became the wife of her half brother Tutankhamun), Neferneferuaten Tasherit, Neferneferure, and...

Mummified skull of Amenhotep III

Mummified skull of Amenhotep III

The mummified skull of Amenhotep III, photographed by Grafton Elliot Smith in 1912. Originally buried in WV22 (Valley of the Kings), Amenhotep III’s mummy was moved in ancient times to Tomb KV35, the tomb of Amenhotep II, which was used by Egyptian priests around the Third Intermediate Period as a royal “mummy” cache (storage). Tomb...

Head of Tutankhamun

This indurated limestone head of Tutankhamun, shows the youthful king wearing the khepresh crown, with a cobra uraeus. Upon first glance you may miss it, but what is fascinating is the hand of Amun, sanctifying Tutankhamun. Although statues of Egyptian rulers with deities were common practice, this piece, depicting Tutankhamun with Amun, showcases the rapid...

Daughters and wife of Rekhmire

Daughters and wife of Rekhmire

The four daughters of Vizier Rekhmire and his wife, Meryt, stand before an offering table of tribute placed in dedication to their parents.The two older daughters stand behind the two smaller, younger daughters. The four sisters offer their parents sistrums, alongside a perfume dish and vessel. Tomb of the Vizier Rekhmire (TT100), reign of Thutmose...

Mummy mask of a man

This mummy mask of an Ancient Egyptian High Official dates from the late 18th Dynasty. We can be assured of this man’s status by the double collared necklace adorning the top of his broad usekh collar. These pieces were handed out by the king himself in a grand ceremony, often depicted with pride within the...

Alabaster ointment jar inscribed for Hatshepsut. Met Museum. 18.8.15

Alabaster ointment jar inscribed for Hatshepsut

This beautifully rounded alabaster ointment jar is adorned with an inscription dedicated to the female king Hatshepsut. “King’s Daughter, King’s Sister, God’s Wife, King’s Great Wife (principal queen), Hatshepsut, may she live and endure like Re forever.” The latter part of the dedication was usually reserved for king’s alone, thus it is safe to presume...

Glazed composition beaded necklace. British Museum. EA57886

Glazed composition beaded necklace

This string of glazed composition beads; with various colours and forms, including grapes and daisies, dates from the 18th Dynasty of Pharaonic Egypt. It is 32.5cm in length and was purchased from Hon Richard Bethell and acquired by the British Museum (EA57886) in 1925. The striking colours of both the amulets and the beadwork of...

Red Granite heads of Amenhotep III

These group of heads, all made from Aswan “rose” Granite range in slightly smaller than life-size, and over life-size scale, and they all depict the same king, who is almost certainly king Amenhotep III of Ancient Egypt’s 18th Dynasty. These heads were discovered in Thebes but are currently spread around various museums across the world,...

Painted limestone seated statuette of Mahu and his wife Duat.

Mahu and his wife Duat

This doubled seated painted limestone statue depicts the overseer Mahu, who is titled with “Overseer of the work of Amun at Karnak” and his wife Duat, who was a priestess with the title “Priestess of Amun-Ra and Hathor“. Due to their titles it is to be believed the pair were from Thebes, and thus, it...

Unknown couple statuette

Unknown couple statuette

This seated double statuette, made from painted limestone, is 28cm tall and depicts an Ancient Egyptian couple dating from the middle of the 18th Dynasty. Unfortunately, the piece is uninscribed, despite the sides having “scalloped motifs, edged on two sides with a decorative border of rectangles.” The piece is in typical Ancient Egyptian fashion, showcasing...