Cairo Museum

Mask of Thuya

Mask of Lady Thuya

The mummy mask of Tjuyu or Thuya is made of cartonnage covered with a thin layer of gold foil. When found it was completely covered with the remains of its linen shroud removed by the restorer. A few fragments of the shroud, now blackened with age, still adhere to the wig and part of the...

Walking stick of Tutankhamun

Walking stick of Tutankhamun

When king Tutankhamun grasped this walking stick, the enemies were turned upside down so that they could not harm the king. At the other end of the stick, a papyrus bears the king’s cartouche. Most of the ancient Egyptian kings and nobles were depicted holding a cane or a staff as it was a sign...

Two Bracelets of King Shoshenq II

Bracelets of Shoshenq II

These golden twin bracelets belong to King Shoshenq II were found, with another identical five bracelets, around the wrists of the king. The two ornaments here are decorated with the wadjet eye, above the hieroglyphic “Neb” sign symbolizing eternal protection for the king. The decorations of the bracelets are identical except for the eyes. The...

Statue of Meryre and his wife Iniuia

Statue of Meryre and Iniuia

Painted limestone statue of Meryre, and his wife Iniuia. He is wearing two rows of gold beads presented by the King. Meryneith started his career under king Akhenaten as ‘Steward of the Temple of Aten’ and ‘Scribe of the Temple of Aten’ in Akhetaten and in Memphis. The latter title might imply that he worked...

Model of boats with a fishing scene

Model of boats with a fishing scene

This fishing model was found in the serdab of Meketre’s tomb which contained twenty-five wooden models of men and women performing various daily tasks typical of life along the Nile. One vivid and animated scene shows fishermen on board two green-hulled boats used on the river in ancient times; the boats are made from strips...

Relief of a baboon unleashed to catch criminals

Hieroglyphs and artwork have survived the ages depicting Egyptian authorities using baboon on leashes to catch criminals, in much the way modern police would use a dog. The most surprising use for trained baboons was as police animals. One shocking bit of classical Egyptian artwork depicts authorities unleashing a baboon on a thief in a...

Statues of Amun and Mut. Egyptian Museum, Cairo. JE 99064

Statues of Amun and Mut

These statues of Amun and Mut have undergone extensive restoration work composed of 79 pieces; the head of the goddess was originally excavated by Auguste Mariette at Karnak in 1873, with further parts being found over the course of many years in subsequent excavations in the Temple of Amun-Re at Karnak and sent to the...

Head of King Senusret III

Head of Senusret III

In this sculpture from a statue, the head of king Senusret III was no more considered to be a divinity, but a human being. This is reflected in the king’s face, which has wrinkles, a pouting mouth and a protruding chin. All these show old age, a serious nature and weariness. On his head he...

Double Statue of Nimaatsed

The statue of Nimaatsed shares one base and are nearly identical but differ slightly in height. His hands are by his sides and he holds the two small rods of dignity. On his head he wears a short, large wig that leaves his ears uncovered. His eyelids, eyebrows, and fine mustache are painted in black....

Relief of King Sneferu in Sinai

Relief of King Sneferu in Sinai

This relief tells us of the victory of king Sneferu over the Bedouins, a military campaign that was also common since the times of king Sanakht and which secured the mines for turquoise and copper in Wadi Nash and Wadi Maghareh, West Sinai. The relief which is made of sandstone shows Sneferu on a large...