The sarcophagus of Harkhebit exhibits typical Memphite craftsmanship, characterized by a plump, squarish face, a smooth, unarticulated body, and slightly protruding feet. The body is inscribed with sunk-relief hieroglyphs, including passages from the Book of the Dead. The interior carvings were left rough, possibly intended for painting, perhaps in green. Harkhebit held several esteemed titles,...
This statue, a life-sized representation, presents Hatshepsut wearing the nemes headdress—an insignia typically reserved for the reigning king. While she is draped in female attire, the inscriptions beside her legs already bear her throne name, Ma’at-Ka-Re, yet interestingly her titles remain feminine, calling her the “Lady of the Two Lands” and the “Bodily Daughter of...
The sculpture depicts a young woman of Nubian descent, adorned with a brightly patterned skirt, a necklace, anklets, and a headband. She is believed to represent an attendant of one of the Hathor priestesses or royal wives at the court of Nebhepetre Mentuhotep II. Similar figures were found in the same tomb, suggesting that they...
Nestled within the esteemed halls of The Metropolitan Museum of Art resides a resplendent artefact from Ancient Egypt: the jewellery chest of Princess Sithathoryunet. Crafted during the Middle Kingdom, specifically the 12th Dynasty (c.1887–1813 B.C.), this exquisite chest exemplifies the opulence and artistry of its era. Discovered in a concealed niche within Sithathoryunet’s tomb near...
The statue of Ankhemtenenet is a fascinating piece of Egyptian art from the Third Intermediate Period (around 743-656 BC). It was crafted from red quartzite, a stone prized for its durability and deep red hue, which likely helped preserve its features over millennia. Ankhemtenenet was likely a high-ranking official or a priest, though details about...
Demedji was an Official during Egypt’s Old Kingdom, specifically during the 5th Dynasty, c. 2494–2345 B.C. While not much is known about his exact position, the hieroglyphic inscriptions on this Statue of Demedji and Hennutsen indicate that he held an administrative or bureaucratic role, likely within the royal court or a provincial government. His titles...
In ancient Egypt, clappers, carved from materials like ivory or wood, were percussion instruments used in rituals and ceremonies, often linked to the goddess Hathor. Found in a coffin at Amarna, they served not only musical purposes but also held symbolic significance in religious contexts, particularly during worship and festivals.
This handle likely belonged to a whip or perhaps a fly whisk. Intricately carved from a piece of ivory, it takes the form of a galloping horse. The ivory is stained reddish-brown pigment, with a painted black mane. A wonderful addition is the featuring of garnet inlays for the eyes—one of which is now missing,...
This anklet belonged to Princess Sithathoriunet, a figure from ancient Egypt’s Middle Kingdom, specifically the 12th Dynasty, dating back to 1887-1813 BC, indicating its historical significance. One of two amethyst and gold anklets which were likely worn by the princess during a religious ritual or state ceremony. Princess Sithathoriunet was an ancient Egyptian royal figure,...
Two puppies stand side by side with slightly lowered heads, as if hesitating to approach some problem or adversary they cannot yet handle. They must have belonged to a subregister of a larger composition-perhaps a hunt in the desert. The impression of overlap is achieved by the use of incised lines that slope up into...
