Amenhotep III, often hailed as the Dazzling Sun King, was a monarch whose reign illuminated Egypt with an unparalleled splendour of construction and artistry. His legacy cast a long shadow, inspiring later pharaohs such as Ramesses the Great to emulate his grandeur. Colossal statues bearing his likeness once dominated the Egyptian horizon, while minute treasures...
This exquisite faience bowl (Met Museum. 26.7.905) stands as one of the more generous examples of its kind, often charmingly referred to as the “marsh bowl” or “nun-bowl”. Its outer surface is adorned with a radiant display of Egyptian blue lotus petals and sepals, whose natural purple speckles have been rendered as delicate painted dashes....
The Eye of Horus is an ancient Egyptian symbol that represents protection, health, and restoration. It’s often associated with the god Horus, who was depicted as a falcon or a man with the head of a falcon. According to Egyptian mythology, Horus lost his eye in a battle with his uncle Seth, but it was...
The Eye of Re Pectoral is associated with ancient Egyptian symbolism, where the Eye of Re represents protection, royal power, and divine authority, often depicted with a rearing cobra, symbolizing the violent aspect that defends against chaos. The necklace, on which this pectoral was suspended in the layer of amulets nearest to the king’s mummy,...
A menat necklace was created out of a substantial keyhole-shaped counterpoise and an assortment of beaded strands. Despite its title of necklace, the menat necklace is seldom depicted being worn, but was most commonly carried by females engaging in sacred ceremonies and rituals. The necklace served as a percussion instrument, shaken to produce a calming...
This wooden figure of a priestess named Imertnebes was discovered in Thebes and dates from the Middle Kingdom period, c. 1991-1783 B.C. Imertnebes was a high-ranking priestess who bore a title that would eventually be designated for princesses who served as high-priestesses of Amun; “God’s Wife“. Depicted in typical Middle Kingdom fashion, Imertnebes’s figure is...
This glazed tile of a Nubian is from the remnants of a palace built by Ramesses III in Tell el-Yahudiyeh. This tile is only surviving in shards and has lost most of its former colour and gloss. Tell el Yahudiyeh is a city in Egypt’s Eastern Delta. The site has remnants dating from the Second...
This striding statuette of a New Kingdom king, depicts the king in a kilt (shendyt) adorned with an elaborate belt, a usekh collar around his neck, and most notably, the “Blue Crown of War”, known to the Egyptians as the “Khepresh” upon his head, which is given a realistic glisten by the addition of rounded...
Wadjet eye amulets were among the most popular amulets of ancient Egypt. The wadjet eye represents the healed eye of the god Horus and embodies healing power as well as regeneration and protection in general. The faience eye here is an intriguing combination of the regular wadjet eye with a wing, two uraei, and a...
This string of glazed composition beads; with various colours and forms, including grapes and daisies, dates from the 18th Dynasty of Pharaonic Egypt. It is 32.5cm in length and was purchased from Hon Richard Bethell and acquired by the British Museum (EA57886) in 1925. The striking colours of both the amulets and the beadwork of...
