Louvre Museum

The Senet Game of Imenmes

The Senet Game of Imenmes

Imenmes was an ancient Egyptian official, who was ‘Overseer of the Cattle of Amun’. From the New Kingdom onward, the track for the game of Senet was usually engraved on the surface of a wooden box featuring a drawer for the playing pieces, while in previous periods the game seems to have been an integral part...

Khopesh sword with the cartouche of Ramesses II

A bronze Khopesh sword inscribed with the cartouches of King Ramesses II. The Khopesh is an Egyptian sickle-sword that evolved from battle axes. The blunted edge of the weapon’s tip also served as an effective bludgeon, as well as a hook. This Khopesh sword is made of bronze with a typical length of 57.5 cm....

Hippopotamus Figurine

This benevolent-looking hippopotamus figurine slips into the marshes, taking on their color and half-engulfed in water plants. Bright-blue Egyptian faience figures of hippopotami such as this were placed in the tombs of high-ranking civil servants toward the end of the Middle Kingdom. The hippopotamus was associated with the fertility of the Nile mud or silt....

The Seated Scribe

The Seated Scribe

The Louvre’s scribe, known as the “Seated Scribe”, is indeed sitting cross-legged, his right leg crossed in front of his left. The white kilt, stretched over his knees, serves as a support. He is holding a partially rolled papyrus scroll in his left hand. His right hand must have held a brush, now missing.  The...

Head of the God Anubis. Louvre. N 4096

Head of the God Anubis

This mask head of Anubis was worn by the priest, who was responsible for the embalming, during the process of mummification. The ears of Anubis are always erect to show the thoughtful attitude of the jackal, as the protector god of the necropolis. Anubis is the Greek name of a jackal-headed god associated with mummification...

Portable stele of god Bes in panther skin

Stele of god Bes in panther skin

Ancient Egyptian arched stele of god Bes in panther skin. The dwarf God, protector of households, believed to guard against evil spirits and misfortune. Bes is depicted with wings and tail of bird, standing, phallus erect, holding Ankh sign and scepter, panther skin, sandals, overwhelming in lower panel snakes, jackal, turtle, crocodile, scorpion, hippopotamus and...

The Weighing of the Heart Ceremony

The Weighing of the Heart Ceremony

Vignette from a papyrus depicting the Weighing the Heart of the deceased in a balance. The Two Maat in the Judgment Hall weigh the heart of the deceased against a statue of Maat. Maat was the symbol of the cosmic order and it was believed that there were two of them: one for the living...