Category Archives: Uncategorized

Mountain of the DeadWhat embraces this archaeological landmark in Egypt?560 kilometers northwest of CairoSiwa Oasis is home to one of the most important monuments dating back to the 26th Dynasty.The conical mountain of the dead contains thousands of tombs carved into the rockWhere its inscriptions helped to date the most ancient tombs in it. BurialContinue reading “Mountain of the Dead”

Block Statue of Senwosret-senebnefny.Egypt,Middle Kingdom,late Dynasty 12,circa 1836-1759 B.C.E.Quartzite2674 x 165/16 x 181/8 in(68.3 x 41.5 x 46 cm).Block statues show their subjects—almost always male—seated on the ground with their knees drawn to their chests; a cloak usually envelops the limbs and torso. The resulting block-like form gives these statues their name.Block statues first appearedContinue reading “Block Statue of Senwosret-senebnefny”

Head from a Female Sphinx.Found in Italy,said to have been in the ruins of Emperor Hadrian’s villa at Tivoli,outside Rome; originally from Egypt, probably Heliopolis. Middle Kingdom,Dynasty 12,reign of Amunemhat II,circa 1876–1842 B.C.E. Chlorite155⁄16 x 131⁄8 x 1315⁄16 in.(38.9 × 33.3 × 35.4 cm).Small details sometimes provide crucial clues to understanding a sculpture. On thisContinue reading “Head from a Female Sphinx”

Female Figurine.Egyptfrom Ma’mariya.Predynastic PeriodNaqada IIcirca 3500–3400 B.C.E.Terracotta, painted,111⁄2 x 51⁄2 x 21⁄4 in.(29.2 × 14 × 5.7 cm).Based on images painted on jars of the same date, the female figure with upraised arms appears to be celebrating a ritual. The bird-like face probably represents her nose, the source of the breath of life. The darkContinue reading “Female Figurine”

Statue of Nykara and His Family.EgyptOld Kingdomlate Dynasty 5circa 2455–2350 B.C.ELimestone, painted225⁄8 x 141⁄2 x 107⁄8 in(57.5 × 36.8 × 27.7 cm)This family statue depicts Nykara, whose title is Scribe of the Granary, seated between the two standing figures of his wife and son. If Nykara were shown standing, his dimensions are such that heContinue reading “Statue of Nykara and His Family”

Kneeling Statue of SenenmutEgyptfrom Armant.New KingdomDynasty 18joint reign of Hatshepsut and Thutmose III1478–1458 B.C.EGranite189⁄16 x 67⁄8 in(47.2 × 17.4 cm)base: 63⁄4 x 215⁄16 x 119⁄16 in(17.2 × 7.5 × 29.3 cm)Occasionally an innovative artist enhanced a traditional sculptural form. This statue of Senenmut—an important official during the joint reign of Queen Hatshepsut and King ThutmoseContinue reading “Kneeling Statue of Senenmut”

Head of an Egyptian OfficialEgyptreportedly from Memphis.Ptolemaic Period,circa 50 B.C.E.Diorite,165⁄8 in. (42.2 cm).The rich, dark patina of this head is not ancient; the original surface has a duller tone. Whether the head represents an individual is a matter of dispute. It may depict a particular but now unknown priest or government official, or it mayContinue reading “Head of an Egyptian Official”

Cartonnage ofNespanetjerenpereEgyptprobably from ThebesThird Intermediate PeriodDynasty 22 to early Dynasty 25circa 945–718 B.C.E.Linen or papyrus mixed with plasterpigment, glass, lapis lazuliheight: 6911⁄16 in. (177 cm). The decoration of Nespanetjerenpare’s cartonnagerichly details the theme of resurrection and permanence. Above the wesekh-collar is a protective pectoral in the form of a djed-pillar and a tyet-amulet. The djed-pillarContinue reading “Cartonnage of Nespanetjerenpere”

The Wilbour PlaqueEgyptprobably from Akhetaten(“Horizon of the Aten”)modern AmarnaNew KingdomDynasty 18reign of Akhenatenprobably late in his reigncirca 1352–1336 B.C.E.Limestone63⁄16 x 811⁄16 x 15⁄8 in.(15.7 × 22.1 × 4.1 cm) One of the world’s best-known works of Amarna art, the Wilbour Plaque is named for the American Egyptologist Charles Edwin Wilbour (1833–1896),who purchased it in 1881.Continue reading “The Wilbour Plaque”