Djoser ๐ฆ was the first pharaoh ๐๐ป of the 3rd Dynasty, and his Step Pyramid ๐๐ ๐๐ด was the first large stone structure in Egypt ๐๐ ๐๐. Designed by the architect Imhotep ๐๐ ๐ต๐๐ช, who was later deified, the Step Pyramid ๐๐ ๐๐ด was meant to provide the pharaoh ๐๐ป with a large funerary complex and a home for eternity ๐๐ณ๐.
These blue ๐๐น๐๐ฟ๐ธ๐ฅ faience ๐ฃ๐๐๐ธ๐ผ tiles decorated the lower levels of Djoserโs ๐ฆ Step Pyramid ๐๐ ๐๐ด Complex. There were over 30,000 tiles used!!! The tiles were meant to represent various types of reeds that covered the walls of Djoserโs ๐ฆ palace.
I have always been obsessed with anything having to do with the Step Pyramid ๐๐ ๐๐ด solely because of Imhotep ๐๐ ๐ต๐๐ช. My Nonno always spoke more about Imhotep ๐๐ ๐ต๐๐ช than Djoser ๐ฆ! My Nonno always pointed these tiles out to me in the museum. While to most people, the tiles look somewhat insignificant compared to beautifully ๐ค carved reliefs and statues, my Nonno always said that these types of tiles were important because they were really only found in the Step Pyramid ๐๐ ๐๐ด and one of Djoserโs ๐ฆ other buildings at Saqqara. The tiles were pretty much a โuniquely Imhotep ๐๐ ๐ต๐๐ชโ thing according to Nonno!