Old Kingdom

Limestone head of Khafre

Limestone head of Khafre

This limestone head of a king with inlaid eyes was discovered outside the valley temple of Khafre’s pyramid complex at Giza, and is thought to be a representation of Khafre himself. The king wears the white crown, known as the “Hedjet” crown of Upper Egypt, and his eyes are lined with green. Green was a...

Inet, wife of Iry

This limestone low relief depicts Inet, wife of Iry, in front of four smaller figures who are possibly Inet’s children; three women and boy.A funerary formula adorns the top of the scene. Summary:Limestone funerary relief of Inet, wife of IryOld Kingdom, 4th Dynasty, c. 2613-2494 B.C.From Giza. British Museum. EA1170

Dancers in the tomb of Urienptah

Purchased by the British Museum from the Government of the British Protectorate of Egypt in 1904, this limestone scene and false door from the Mastaba tomb of Urienptah showcases the Old Kingdom traditional funerary art in a splendid display. The women have short cropped hair, possibly capped wigs, and long fitted dresses that hit their...

Mayor Nen-Kheft-Ka

Made of limestone, the statue is delicately carved in traditional style of the Old Kingdom period. The pleated linen of Nen-Kheft-Ka’s kilt and belt, and dagger resting upon his stomach, showcases beautiful craftsmanship. The remnants of paint, reddish yellow, giving a golden hue to the skin, white of the kilt and black of the square...

Nen-Kheft-Ka and Nefer-Shemes

Inscribed with the title of “Royal acquaintance”, this double statuette depicts a married couple, Nen-Kheft-Ka and his wife Nefer-Shemes. Nen-Kheft-Ka was the mayor of his town, and this statue was discovered within his mastaba, rock-cut tomb at Deshasheh. Made of limestone, the statue is delicately carved in traditional style of the Old Kingdom period. The...

Striding figure of a man

This wooden figure of a man dates from around 2347-1793 B.C., making it a Late Old Kingdom – Middle Kingdom production. It depicts a man with one leg forth, holding a now, missing staff, and another object in his hand. He wears a short cropped wig upon his head and a pleated linen kilt, known...

Plaster cast of a face

Within the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, there is a rather strange thing that doesn’t get much attention. It is what appears to be a true to life plaster cast death mask. This is not a mask made by an artist to represent a godlike image of the deceased, but an actual cast of the face....

Raramu and Ankhet

This double statuette (57.2 × 36.2 cm) depicts the married couple Raramu and Ankhet, and it was found within Raramu’s tomb (G 2099). Raramu was an elite in Ancient Egyptian society within the Old Kingdom period, and he held many titles. Some of those titles showcase his royal ties, such as, “Priest of Khufu in...

Nefer of the Old Kingdom

Nefer of the Old Kingdom

Nefer was a man of important status in Ancient Egypt’s Old Kingdom period. The owner of Tomb G 2110 at Giza, Nefer clearly held enough societal importance to have a decorated tomb upon the Giza Plateau to enjoy eternity within. Nefer’s titles vary, among some of which are, “Strong-of-voice (of the judiciary), Chief of the...

Painted limestone head of Userkaf

Once within the collection of Prince Mohammed Ali, and since 1979, in the hands of the Cleveland Museum of Art, Ohio, this head of king Userkaf shows the Old Kingdom king, wearing the white crown of Egypt, known as the Hedjet. The Hedjet was a representation of Upper Egypt; the Nile valley south of Memphis...