This mummy of a juvenile dog was discovered in the necropolis of Asyut during Ernesto Schiaparelli’s excavation between 1910 and 1912. Now housed in Cabinet 51 of Room 11 at the Egyptian Museum of Turin (Museo Egizio. Suppl. 11005), the animal’s form is modest in scale, measuring 28 by 44 centimetres, yet richly evocative of...
This gazelle figurine, made from the ivory of an elephant and now housed in The Metropolitan Museum of Art (26.7.1292), dates to the reign of Amenhotep III of the New Kingdom, c. 1390–1352 B.C. Carved from elephant ivory, this delicate sculpture stands alert on a wooden pedestal adorned with inlaid blue pigment, depicting flora evocative...
Fashioned from thin, pliable gold, most likely hammered and cut with extraordinary care; this diadem features a tender procession of gazelle heads flanking a stag, all elegantly placed amid a rhythmic pattern of starbursts or stylised flowers. The design is simultaneously minimal and symbolic, capturing the Ancient Egyptian delight in naturalistic beauty and the divine...
This handle likely belonged to a whip or perhaps a fly whisk. Intricately carved from a piece of ivory, it takes the form of a galloping horse. The ivory is stained reddish-brown pigment, with a painted black mane. A wonderful addition is the featuring of garnet inlays for the eyes—one of which is now missing,...
Striding leopard from the tomb of king Thutmose IV The figure is made of six pieces of wood put together – the body, four legs, and the tail – and has two rectangular mortises on its back for the insertion of tenons. Originally, the piece would have featured inlaid eyes, which have since been lost....
Carved and delicately painted, this limestone figurine showcases a mother dog nursing her five pups. Upon a vibrant yellow backdrop, the mother dog is collared and her lead/leash cascades to the floor in a decorative spiral. Her teets are depicted 2-dimensional against the raised limestone 3-dimensional effect of the pups and mother herself. Her face...
This relief depicts a small pet monkey standing under a chair on which Maia, the wife of the dignitary Rij, is seated. The scene is part of the north wall of the antechapel within Rij’s tomb at Saqqara. The presence of the pet monkey in this relief highlights the ancient Egyptians’ appreciation for animals and...
This green-glazed composition vessel depicts the dwarf god Bes on one side and a circular display of varied animals, including a lion, ibexes, antelopes, deer and fowl on the back. One of the animals in the circle seemingly looks like a camel, but it is uncertain. Purchased by Dr Erich Cassirer and residing in the...
Syrian men depicted bringing tribute of vases, weaponry and animals (including horses and bears) to Egypt, within the tomb chapel of the vizier Rekhmire (TT100). An example of trade between the nations. New Kingdom, 18th Dynasty, reign of Thutmose III – Amenhotep II, c. 1479-1400 B.C.Valley of the Nobles, Theban NecropolisPhotograph by manna4u
This bangle dates from the Middle Kingdom Period, c.2055-1650 B.C. and was found in Egypt, exact location unknown. It is made from a concoction of beaten, cast and soldered gold, with golden and silver amulets of Ancient Egyptian religious iconography such as, the Wadjet Eye and Djed Pillar, alongside animals such as a hare and...
