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Egyptian Artifacts

Wooden Chair of Hatnefer

This wooden 𓆱𓏏𓏺 chair π“Ž›π“Š¨π“π“†± is from the tomb π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰ of Hatnefer. Hatnefer was Senemut’s π“Œ’π“ˆ–π“…π“€Ό mother 𓅐𓏏𓁐 and due to his status as Hatshepsut’s π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ most trusted advisor, he was able to give his mother𓅐𓏏𓁐 a proper burial. I am always so amazed when wooden 𓆱𓏏𓏺 pieces are still in such great condition – wood 𓆱𓏏𓏺 is organic and it can break down very quickly as compared to a material like rock π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‚‹π“ˆ™.

Wooden Chair of Hatnefer at the MET

The linen 𓍱 that makes up the seat of the chair π“Ž›π“Š¨π“π“†± is the original linen 𓍱 and has not been restored at all! The back of the chair π“Ž›π“Š¨π“π“†± contains a design alternating between the tyet π“Ž¬ (Isis Knot) and the Djed pillar π“Š½. The tyet π“Ž¬ symbol invokes the protection of Isis π“Š¨π“π“₯, while the Djed pillar π“Š½ symbolizes stability. It is thought that the Djed pillar π“Š½ is actually the spine of the god π“ŠΉ Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­.

In the middle of the tyet π“Ž¬ and Djed pillars π“Š½ is the god Bes π“ƒ€π“‹΄π“„œ. Bes π“ƒ€π“‹΄π“„œ had many functions as a god π“ŠΉ and one of them was the protector of the home 𓉐𓏺.