Magic

Inside the burial chamber in the Pyramid of Unas decorated with Pyramid Texts, mid-24th century BC, Saqqara.

Pyramid Texts in the burial chamber of Unas

The sarcophagus chamber in the Pyramid of Unas; some of the Pyramid Texts can be seen written on the gable. The Pyramid Texts are the oldest religious writings known to exist. They were first recorded in the pyramid of Unas, last king of Egypt’s 5th Dynasty, and are called “Pyramid Texts” because they were carved...

The journey of the sun god Re. Detail in the inner coffin of Nespawershefyt. Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge. E.1.1822 

The Journey of the Sun God Re

The scene shows the journey of the sun god Re, in his falcon form, seated in his shrine. On the prow, we see the god Hor-nedj-it-ef, Horus the avenger of his father, harpooning the evil snake Apep or Apophis, symbol of chaos and destruction. By the end of the barque, we see the steer holder...

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...

Canopic Shrine of King Tutankhamun

Canopic Shrine of Tutankhamun

Inside this imposing and elaborate gilded canopic shrine was the alabaster chest that contained the four canopic miniature coffins. At each side of this shrine stands an elegant statue of one of the four female divinities in charge of protecting the deceased king, their faces turned slightly to one side and their arms stretched out...

Table for Libations or Offerings

Table for Libation or Offerings

Sculpted from an alabaster block, this altar was used either as a sacrificial altar or a libation table. It is decorated with the forms of two lions, whose front and back paws are beautifully defined. The altar slopes downward towards a circular basin, around which the tails of the lions are curled. Magical offering formulas...

The Gerzeh Palette. Egyptian Museum, Cairo. JE 43103

The Gerzeh Palette

A group of five stars depicted on the Gerzeh Palette or Hathor palette dating back to Naqada II Period. This unusual schist palette was part of a Predynastic funerary assemblage which also contained ordinary vessels. It has an oval shape that widens slightly towards the top and it is pierced so that it could be...

Ka Statue of King Hor Awibre

Ka Statue of King Hor

This wooden Ka statue with rock-crystal quartz eyes was excavated in 1894 in the tomb of king Hor Awibre or Hor I that was found by a team of excavators under the direction of the archaeologist Jacques de Morgan. His tomb is located north of the pyramid complex of Amenemhat III at Dahshur. The wooden...

Vase with goat handle

This silver vase looks like a pomegranate with a golden handle in the shape of a goat. It was discovered in one of the sanctuaries of goddess Bastet in Per-Bast or Bubastis (Tell Basta). The goat’s legs give the impression of movement. Around the jug is a decoration of hearts, perhaps as a sign of...

Pendant of Tutankhamun with Werethekau

Pendant of Tutankhamun with Werethekau

Pendant of goddess Werethekau with plumed and horned head-dress and snake body, suckling a standing figure of King Tutankhamun. Made of heavy plate gold on two large suspension rings at back, just below head-dress. “The cobra with woman’s head sometimes wears the low crown also associated with Isis, but on other occasions the Double Crown...