Egyptian Women

Standing Statuette of Lady Henutnakhtu

Standing Statuette of Lady Henutnakhtu

This wooden standing statuette shows the Lady Henutnakhtu of the 18th Dynasty wearing a tight pleated garment and a long beautiful wig. She is holding in her right hand a flower and in her left one a staff, with which to purify the deceased. The statuette rests on a wooden base with hieroglyphic text giving...

The sarcophagus of Sha-Amun-en-su.

Coffin of Priestess Sha-Amun-en-su

Sha-Amun-en-su was an Ancient Egyptian ritualistic singer and priestess of Amun at the Temple of Karnak. Her name translates to “Fertile Fields of Amun”, and she died around 750 B.C. Sha-Amun-en-su lived during the Twenty-second Dynasty of Egypt (Bubastite Dynasty), where the kings ruled from the city of Bubastis (“House of Bast“, Ancient Egyptian: “Per-Bast“)....

Ramesside head of a Noble Woman

Ramesside head of a Noble Woman

This beautifully painted limestone head of a woman came from a tomb chapel niche dating from the Ramesside era, c. 1250–1070 B.C., 19th-20th Dynasty. Not a singular statue, this Noblewoman would have been accompanying her husband, this statue would have represented the pair at their best; see her elaborate wig, lotus adorned headband and perfect...

Painted limestone stele depicts sisters, Keti and Senet

Stele of Keti and Senet

This painted limestone stele depicts sisters, Keti and Senet, breathing in the scent of a lotus blossom, while stood either side of an offering table full of food produce and other tribute presented to the pair. Dating from between approximately 2061–1900 B.C., Late 11th Dynasty to Early 12th Dynasty, this Middle Kingdom stelae was made...

The Bersha Procession

The Bersha Procession

“The Bersha Procession”, one of 100 wooden models from the tomb of Djehutynakht. This model shows the funerary procession, with offerings of tribute for the deceased. Three women with offerings of food and drink are led by a Priest carrying a wine jug and incense burner. The skill and delicacy with which it was carved...

Statuette of a woman carrying an offering. Musée du Louvre. E 10781

Statuette of a woman carrying an offering basket upon head

A painted wooden statuette of a woman carrying offerings. Middle Kingdom, 12th Dynasty, c. 1963-1862 B.C. The Ancient Egyptians believed in physical offerings for spiritual sustenance. Therefore, in funerary scenes depicted upon tomb walls, you will see numerous men and women carrying objects to be buried alongside the deceased. Not only were these items of...

Statuette of Lady Thuya

Statuette of Lady Thuya

The statuette of Thuya is carved from two species of wood that the Egyptians imported from the south – shea wood for the base, and African grenadilla for the lady herself. There are offering formulae on the back pillar and the base, dedicated to Osiris, Isis and “all the Gods who are in the West...

Statuette of a Royal Woman with the Cartouches of King Necho II

Statuette of a Woman with Cartouches of Necho II

This nude sensual female figure has the cartouches of Necho II on her upper arms. A small tightly fitted wig caps her head, and two holes with silver wires are located in the wig over her forehead; their placement suits a uraeus. She wears a finely wrought broad collar plus earrings (only one of which...

Statue of a Standing Lady

Statue of a Standing Lady

This limestone statue depicts a standing lady which she wearing a shoulder-length wig consisting of graceful tresses, and the white dress with shoulder straps of elite ladies covered by a broad collar. The straps of the dress and the broad collar were indicated in paint only, of which only traces remain. She is standing upright...

Woman Statuette

Woman Statuette

This wooden statuette of a woman depicting her wears a wig with a wreath of leaves and a lotus flower on her forehead. In her left hand she holds a sistrum (a rattle used in the cult of female deities), whose handle only is preserved. The right arm, which was carved separately and attached with...