New Kingdom

Ostracon with fighting bulls

Ostracon with fighting bulls

This ostracon is a dynamic depiction of two fighting bulls. The powerful motion is portrayed through their bodies, with the back legs of the charging bull pushing forward and head lowered to topple the other bull with its horns. Note the artist’s skillful use of color and pattering to add detail. Ostraca (plural for ostracon)...

Statue of Senenmut holding Neferure, daughter of Hatshepsut

Statue of Senenmut holding Neferure

This standing statue of Senenmut holding Princess Neferure, daughter of Queen Hatshepsut, seems to be unique. Most of us are familiar with the block and seated (tutor) statues of Senenmut and Neferure. The statue was found in Karnak and was a gift from the Queen. The inscriptions are given in detail in breasted ancient records...

Cosmetic Vase with Names of Amenhotep III and Queen Tiye

Cosmetic Vase with Names of Amenhotep III and Queen Tiye

This cosmetic vase contains the names of King Amenhotep III and Queen Tiye. It is possible that it originally contained some kind of expensive cosmetic, possibly kohl, oil, or perfume. The vessel’s shape imitates a bag or a sack. It was a popular shape during the 18th Dynasty in pottery, stone, painted wood (to imitate...

The mummy of Yuya, Grandfather of Akhenaten

The mummy of Yuya was found partially wrapped with only his torso being divested of wrappings by ancient robbers. When the body of Yuya was removed from his innermost coffin, a partially strung necklace composed of large gold and lapis lazuli beads was found behind his neck, where it had presumably fallen after being snapped...

Amarna Princess Perfume Bottle

Amarna Princess Perfume Bottle

This perfume bottle, with a depiction of an Amarna princess stood upon a lotus blossom, is in the shape of a hes-vase. It is made from Egyptian alabaster, with an inlay of coloured glass, carnelian, obsidian and gold. A hes-vase is named after the “hes” hieroglyph. The hes-vase was used as a libation vessel, meaning,...

Statue of Yuny and his wife Renenutet. Met Museum. 15.2.1

Statue of Yuny and Renenutet

“May everything that comes forth upon the offering table of [the god] . . . and all pure food that comes forth from the Great Enclosure [the temple complex at Heliopolis] be for the chief scribe, royal scribe of letters, Yuny, justified.” Yuny was a Chief Royal Scribe and Physician during the reign of king...

Women carrying offerings, depicted within the Tomb of Menna (TT69).

Tomb of Menna

Women carrying offerings, depicted within the Tomb of Menna (TT69). New Kingdom, 18th Dynasty, c. 1550-1292 B.C. Sheikh Abd el-Qurna, West Thebes. Menna was a Scribe and carried a number of titles associated with the agricultural estates of the Temple of Karnak and the Pharaoh. (this post is currently under construction, come back in the...

Painted clay Tilapia fish. New Kingdom, 18th Dynasty, c. 1390-1336 B.C. Brooklyn Museum. 48.111

Painted clay Tilapia fish

This Tilapia fish, is delicately painted with a pastel type colour scheme of oranges and blues, which were quite popular within the reign of Amenhotep III and his son king Akhenaten’s. However, it is not just the paintwork of this fish which is catching to the eye, this small relic holds a specific purpose that...

A detail of a wall painting depicts Ameneminet presents a libation offering to Amenhotep III & Queen Tiye.

Ameneminet presents a libation offering

A detail of a wall painting depicts Ameneminet presents a libation offering to Amenhotep III & Queen Tiye. Ameneminet was an Ancient Egyptian priest, who worked in dedication to the deity Ptah-Sokar, at Amenhotep III’s Temple of Millions of Years. Ritual Libation in Ancient Egypt Ritual libation was an important practice in ancient Egypt. It...

Thutmose usurped by Ramesside family. British Museum. EA61

Thutmose usurped by Ramesside family

This red granite statue of a king wearing the White Crown (Hedjet), was originally from Karnak, and has been recarved with the cartouches (namesake in rectangular-oval casing) of king Ramesses II and his son, the king Merenptah. It is believed this statue originally dates from the 18th Dynasty, and based upon the face and style,...