British Museum

Bracelet of Prince Nemareth

Prince Nemareth

Prince Nemareth (nm3rṯ) a rendering of the Libyan name Nimlot, was the third son of king Shoshenq I (c. 943–922 B.C.). For scholars, the prince is either referred to as Nemareth or Nimlot B specifically. Prince Nemareth’s father Hedjkheperre Setepenre Shoshenq I, simply referred to as Shoshenq I, was the first king of Ancient Egypt’s 22nd...

Bes ceremonial staff terminal

This green-blue glazed compisition figure of Bes was discovered at Abydos, and was originally made to be placed upon a ceremonial staff (cane). It currently resides in the British Museum (EA26267), although not on display. It dates from the 22nd Dynasty, c. 943-720 B.C. Summary:Green-blue glazed cane terminal in the form of Bes22nd Dynasty, c.943-720...

Seated statue of Seti II with shrine to Amun

Seated statue of Seti II with shrine to Amun

This quartzite sandstone statue depicts king Seti II upon his throne, holding a shrine surmounted by a ram’s head, which is associated with the god Amun. The British museum states that this statue is one of the most complete sculptures from the entirety of Ancient Egypt. It is extremely rare to find a statue of...

Wooden figure of a woman playing a harp

Wooden figure of a woman playing a harp

This wooden painted figure of a woman playing a harp, dates from the Third Intermediate Period, c.1070-664 B.C. She stands 26cm tall and 6.5cm wide, and currently resides in the British Museum. Music played a very important part in ancient Egyptian life. From all periods there are scenes in temples and tombs showing musicians playing....

Limestone seated figure of Senebef

Limestone seated figure of Senebef

This seated limestone statuette of “overseer of the ointments” Senebef is believed to date from the Early 13th Dynasty of Ancient Egypt’s Middle Kingdom. The structure of the face and enlarged ears are a distinctive style of the era it is thought to be from. Senebef wears a shoulder-length wig of plaited hair tucked behind...

Predynastic breccia frog

Predynastic breccia frog

Breccia cosmetic-vessel, theriomorphic, representing a frog, eyes originally inlaid, pierced lug handles and everted rim. These vessels were commonly used in ancient Egypt during the Predynastic period, which refers to the time before the establishment of the 1st Dynasty. These vessels were made from breccia, a type of rock composed of fragments of different minerals...

Coffin of Besenmut, Priest of Montu at Thebes. British Museum. EA22940

Besenmut, Priest of Montu at Thebes

This is the anthropoid wooden coffin of a man called Besenmut, who was a Priest of Montu at the Theban Temple. Dating from the 26th Dynasty, c. 664-525 B.C. also known as the Sais Dynasty or Saite Period, which was the last true Native Egyptian ruling Dynasty of the Ancient Egyptian empire before the later conquests of the Persian and Greeks, which eventually led to the collapse of Ancient Egypt under Roman rule.

Head of Tutankhamun or Ankhesenamun

Head of Tutankhamun or Ankhesenamun

This plaster face, dating from the reign of Akhenaten or shortly after his reign ended, is thought to represent a child of the king. The British Museum, where this face resides, has the face archived, identifying it with the likeness of either Tutankhamun or his sister-wife Ankhesenamun. Ankhesenamun, was one of the six daughters of...

Coffin of Takhebkhenem, Lady of the House, daughter of Pedikhons

Coffin of Takhebkhenem, Lady of the House, daughter of Pedikhons

This coffin, belonging to a woman called Takhebkhenem, is made of wood, with polychrome painted decoration. The British Museum notes that, “the vignettes, which are executed in a very conservative style, show the deceased carrying a sistrum before Osiris, her mummy on a bier, and a strange hawk-headed kneeling figure, described as Osiris, there is...

Canopic case & jars of Gua

Canopic chest & jars of Gua

This wooden chest with four painted Egyptian alabaster canopic jars belongs to somebody called Gua. They date from the 12th Dynasty of Ancient Egypt’s Middle Kingdom, approximately, 1939-1760 B.C. Discovered in Deir el-Bersha, they are inscribed with funerary texts on behalf of Gua, invoking the Four Sons of Horus, Isis, Nephthys, Selket and Neith. Three of the jars retain remains of linen packages inside.