New Kingdom

Trumpets of Tutankhamun

The discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb in 1922 by Howard Carter was one of the most extraordinary archaeological events of the 20th century, unveiling a treasure trove of artefacts that shed light on ancient Egyptian life and culture. Among these treasures were two remarkable trumpets, one made of silver and the other of bronze, each offering...

Statue of King Amenhotep II with Meretseger. Egyptian Museum, Cairo. JE 39394

Statue of Amenhotep II Protected by Meretseger

This statue represents King Amenhotep II protected by the goddess Meretseger. He is standing with his left leg striding forward, wearing the white Hedjet crown of Upper Egypt, and with a uraeus emerging from his forehead. Each foot stands on the image of the nine bows, which represent the combined enemies of Egypt. The cartouche...

Headrest of King Tutankhamun

Headrest of Tutankhamun

This headrest of Tutankhamun is similar in shape to a folding stool. Headrests were used in ancient Egypt and are still used in some African regions to protect the head of the sleeper and ease the circulation of air around the head in the hot summer nights. Although it may seem uncomfortable, headrests are still...

Linen Gloves of King Tutankhamun

Linen Gloves of Tutankhamun

The linen gloves of king Tutankhamun is the same as a modern gloves. A glove would be in the shape of the hand and have five fingers like this one, or two fingers like another one that was found belonging to the same king in his tomb. The tiny gloves were among the clues that...

Ceremonial Sickle of King Tutankhamun

Ceremonial Sickle of Tutankhamun

This marvelous model sickle of King Tutankhamun is made of gilded wood and decorated with the cartouches of the king, bearing his birth and throne names. The serrated blades are made of colored glass. The sickle was probably used for ceremonies in which the king himself took part during Peret, the annual harvest feast. The...

Re in the form of a cat slays the snake Apep

Re in the form of a cat slays Apep

Under a sacred sycamore, the Great Cat of Heliopolis, one of the forms taken by Re called Miw-aa or the great cat, slays the evil serpent Apep (or Apophis), god of the underworld and symbol of the forces of chaos. Section of vignette of chapter 17 of the book of the dead. Apep is sometimes...

Relief of Khepri Scarab and Re, Tomb of Seti II

It is composed of the globe of the sun, inside which are carved the sun god in two of his guises: his dawn form Khepri, the scarab beetle, and his night form, the ram-headed Re. The scene from the tomb of Seti II is shown the central image of the title illustration associated with the...

Interior of the Tomb of Thutmose III

Interior of the Tomb of Thutmose III

Simple in form, muted in color, the art in the Tomb of Thutmose III (KV34) depicts the defeat of the serpent of chaos, Apep, a key episode of the Book of the Dead. The stone sarcophagus in which Thutmose’s body was placed is still in place in the burial chamber, albeit damaged by tomb robbers...

Tutankhamun Pectoral with the Sky Goddess Nut

Tutankhamun Pectoral with the Sky Goddess Nut

This pectoral was found in the chapel of Anubis within the Tomb of Tutankhamun (KV62); it shows the goddess Nut in human form with her wings and arms outstretched, protecting the cartouches of Tutankhamun. Below her wings can be seen eight rows of hieroglyphs, again related to protection by the gods. The pectoral is surmounted...

Scarab Bracelet of Tutankhamun

Scarab Bracelet of Tutankhamun

The scarab bracelet of Tutankhamun is considered a masterpiece of ancient Egyptian jewelry. The rigid gold bracelet is composed of two semicircles joined together by a hinge on one side and a clasp on the other. The central plaque bears a cloisonné scarab inlaid with lapis lazuli. The scarab, symbol of the morning sun, rebirth...