Alabaster

Chest for Canopic Jars of Shoshenq I

Canopic Chest of Shoshenq I

This calcite-alabaster canopic chest and its lid were made for storing the canopic jars of Shoshenq I (943-922 BC), the founder of the 22nd Dynasty of Egypt. The nomen and prenomen cartouches of Shoshenq I are carved on the surface. No trace has yet been found of the tomb of Shoshenq I. Egyptologists differ over...

The Sphinx of Memphis, 1920s

The Sphinx of Memphis, 1920s

This sphinx was unearthed in 1912 by Flinders Petrie near the remains of Memphis. It is one of the largest monuments ever made from Egyptian alabaster. Sphinxes are often guards or protectors of ancient Egyptian sacred places. Some represent kings (pharaohs), with their human faces attached to the body of a lion – an animal...

Perfume Vase of King Tutankhamun

Perfume Vase of Tutankhamun

Alabaster perfume vase upon ornamental stand, with cartouches of Tutankhamun, lotus and papyrus flowers forming a sema-tawy (unification of the two lands) and stems as renpet (time or eternity) signs. The vases found in the tomb of King Tutankhamun were commonly used to store precious oils and cosmetics for the king to use in the...

Tutankhamun's Triple Lamp with Lotus Shapes

Tutankhamun Triple Lamp with Lotus Shapes

This elegant triple lamp of King Tutankhamun is delicately carved, incised, and polished from one block of alabaster. The central cup is shaped like a lotus chalice, rising on a long stem, and is flanked by two smaller bud-like cups on sinuous stems, each with a leaf spreading out horizontally, as if they were floating...

Tutankhamun's Cup in the Form of Open Lotus

Tutankhamun Cup in the Form of Open Lotus

This chalice in the form of a lotus is decorated with a whorl of circles and sepals in low relief. The handle is a lotus flower and bud supporting the symbol of eternal life. The cup bears the names and titles of King Tutankhamun. The text around the rim expresses wishes for the king to...

Basin with a Boat from the tomb of Tutankhamun

Alabaster Boat from the tomb of Tutankhamun

This alabaster boat stands on a base representing a square pool. It is considered one of the most beautiful pieces of the collection of king Tutankhamun. It was found in the annex of his tomb. The purpose of this artifact is not clear, but it was either an unguent container or a perfume holder or...

Alabaster Perfume Vase of King Tutankhamun

Alabaster Perfume Vase of Tutankhamun

This perfume vase of King Tutankhamun is made of four pieces of alabaster cemented together. The idea conveyed by its symbolism is that the Nile will provide the king and queen, whose names are inscribed on the vase, with its contents. The vulture with the so-called Atef crown on its head represents either goddess Mut...

Tutankhamun Vase in the Form of an Ibex

This alabaster cosmetic vase of King Tutankhamun, which is a unique piece of art, was shaped in the form of an ibex, or goat, with real horns, one of which is missing. The eyes are inlaid and have black lids. The ears of the ibex were pierced but the earrings are missing. The back of...

Clepsydra of Karnak

Clepsydra of Karnak

The Clepsydra of Karnak is the oldest water clock of which there is physical evidence dates to ca. 1391-1353 BC, during the reign of Amenhotep III where it was used in the Temple of Amen-Re at Karnak. This alabaster water clock has 12 carved columns of 11 false holes, corresponding to the hours of the...

Tablet of Seven Oils

During royal funerals, it was a rule to include in the offerings a complete set of the seven ritual oils. They were meant to be a testimony to the sacralization acts performed when the deceased was put in his coffin, and to protect the dead on their eternal journey. This tablet for the seven sacred...