Tag: louvre

Categories
Egyptian Artifacts

Great Sphinx of Tanis

Did you know that this sphinx π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­π“€ in the Louvre is one of the largest outside of Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–?

The sphinx π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­π“€ is known as the β€œGreat Sphinx of Tanis” because it was found in the ruins of the Temple π“‰Ÿπ“π“‰ of Amun-Ra π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Ίπ“‡³ in Tanis π“†“π“‚π“ˆ–π“π“Š–! Tanis π“†“π“‚π“ˆ–π“π“Š– was the capital of Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– from the 21st-23rd Dynasties. 

The sphinx π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­π“€ is made of red granite π“…“π“Œ³π“π“ŽΆ which is an extremely strong 𓄇𓏏𓂝𓏭 and durable rock π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‚‹π“ˆ™! Red granite π“…“π“Œ³π“π“ŽΆ was very valued not only for its pink color but its durability. As you can see, the sphinx π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­π“€ retained its beautiful π“„€ features really well due to the characteristics of the rock π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‚‹π“ˆ™

This sphinx π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­π“€ is so interesting because the cartouches of the pharaohs 𓉐𓉻𓏦 Merneptah π“‡³π“ƒ’π“ˆ–π“ˆ˜π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ (19th Dynasty) and Sheshonq I π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Œ»π“†·π“†·π“ˆ–π“ˆŽ (22nd Dynasty) are both seen on the sphinx π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­π“€.  Why are two 𓏻 pharaoh’s 𓉐𓉻 names π“‚‹π“ˆ–π“¦ there?  Well, the Egyptians π“†Žπ“π“€€π“π“ͺ used to recycle monuments, a process called “usurping.” The practice of usurping was when the current pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 would take old pharaoh’s 𓉐𓉻 names π“‚‹π“ˆ–π“¦ off of monuments 𓏠𓏍 and put their own there! It is basically ancient plagiarism and it occurred quite frequently. 

Some Egyptologists say this sphinx π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­π“€ actually dates back to the Old Kingdom, as the face 𓁢𓏺 doesn’t represent any known pharaoh 𓉐𓉻! A book that I have says the sphinx π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­π“€ dates to the Middle Kingdom. We will probably never know when the sphinx π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­π“€ was carved which is both fascinating and frustrating at the same time! 

Follow me to learn all about ancient Egypt, hieroglyphs, Egyptian mythology, art, culture and more!

This is my personal photograph and original text. DO NOT repost. 

Follow me @ancientegyptblogΒ onΒ InstagramΒ andΒ TikTokΒ to learn all about ancient Egypt, hieroglyphs, mythology, culture and more!

Categories
Egyptian Artifacts

Akhenaten and Nefertiti

When I went to the Louvre in 2015, this was one of my must-see pieces! The love story of Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– and Nefertiti π“„€π“π“‡π“˜π“— has always fascinated me . This painted limestone π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“Œ‰ statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 reminds me of the popular β€œcouples statues,” which depict a husband and wife sitting together, that were prominent in burials during the Old Kingdom!

Akhenaten and Nefertiti

Nefertiti π“„€π“π“‡π“˜π“— was the β€œGreat Royal Wife π“‡“π“π“ˆžπ“π“…¨β€ of Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ–. This statue depicts Nefertiti π“„€π“π“‡π“˜π“— (left) and Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– (right) holding hands and walking forward. We know they are walking forward because one foot is placed in front of the other. 

Let’s talk about their clothing! They both have sandals 𓍿𓃀𓏏𓋸π“ͺ on their feet and wearing broad collars π“…±π“‹΄π“π“ŽΊπ“‹π“¦, the necklace π“ π“ˆ–π“‡‹π“π“‹§ of choice for royals and the gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ. Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– is also wearing the blue Khepresh crown π“†£π“‚‹π“ˆ™π“‹™ on his head, while Nefertiti appears to be wearing what looks like the red crown π“‚§π“ˆ™π“‚‹π“π“‹”, but there is blue 𓇋𓁹𓏏𓄿𓏸π“₯ paint 𓇨𓂋𓅱𓏭𓏸𓏦 on it! . The Uraeus 𓇋𓂝𓂋𓏏𓆗 is still present on the front of both crowns! 

What was the purpose of this statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾? This most likely came from a private home, where it was used in a shrine π“π“Šƒπ“…“π“‚œπ“‰ to worship 𓇼𓄿𓀒 Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– and Nefertiti π“„€π“π“‡π“˜π“—. The common people would worship Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– and Nefertiti π“„€π“π“‡π“˜π“— because they were thought to be manifestations 𓆣𓆣𓆣 of the Aten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³ here on Earth. 

The typical Amarna-style (elongated faces and limbs, more body fat in the stomach and thighs) is present here, which makes it very easy to identify these figures as Nefertiti π“„€π“π“‡π“˜π“— and Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ–. The Amarna art revolution is so interesting because Egyptian art didn’t change much until Akhenaten’s π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– rule, then there was this drastic change, and then once Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– died, the ancient Egyptians π“†Žπ“π“€€π“π“ͺ reverted back to the traditional art style and it stated that way for the rest of the civilization. 

Follow me to learn all about ancient Egypt, hieroglyphs, Egyptian mythology, art, culture and more! 

This is my personal photograph and original text. DO NOT repost. 

Follow me @ancientegyptblogΒ onΒ InstagramΒ andΒ TikTokΒ to learn all about ancient Egypt, hieroglyphs, mythology, culture and more!

Categories
Ushabti Friends

Ushabtis of Seti I – Ushabti Friends

Ushabtis of Seti I

As part of my β€œUshabti Friends” series, I am teaching you how to look at the different characteristics of ushabtis π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύ to show how unique and wonderful these pieces are! Today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³ we are going to look at the ushabtis of the 19th Dynasty pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Seti I 𓇳𓁦𓏠!Β 

Ushabtis of Seti I
Ushabtis of Seti I

Pharaoh Seti I 𓇳𓁦𓏠 had an estimatedΒ  1000+ ushabtis π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύπ“ͺ, however, only about 700 remain! Most of Seti I’s 𓇳𓁦𓏠 ushabtis π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύπ“ͺ were wood 𓆱𓏏𓏺 and when Giovanni Belzoni discovered Seti I’s tomb π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰ in the Valley of the Kings in 1917, he used a lot of the wooden 𓆱𓏏𓏺 ushabtis π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύπ“ͺ as torches (this fact still haunts me – it was also one of my Nonno’s favorite stories to tell). Anytime Seti I came up in conversation my Nonno would say β€œcan you believe some idiots used his ushabtis as torches??!!”

Besides the tragic wooden 𓆱𓏏𓏺 ushabtis, Seti I π“Šͺπ“π“Ž›π“£π“‡Œπ“ŒΈπ“ˆ– had many faience π“‹£π“ˆ–π“π“Έπ“Ό ushabtis π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύπ“ͺ. His faience π“‹£π“ˆ–π“π“Έπ“Ό ushabtis π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύπ“ͺ are such a beautiful π“„€ blue 𓇋𓁹𓏏𓄿𓏸π“₯ color and are inscribed with the Shabti Spell in hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ.

Ushabtis of Seti I

Some of the wooden 𓆱𓏏𓏺 ushabtis π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύπ“ͺ contain hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ as well, however, the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ are better preserved on some pieces better than others because wood 𓆱𓏏𓏺 will naturally deteriorate over time due to the nature of the organic materials. 

So how can we tell these are ushabtis of Seti I from the 19th Dynasty? 

  1. The ushabtis were found in his tomb in the Valley of the Kings
  2. The ushabtis are inscribed with his throne name (𓇳𓁦𓏠) and birth name (π“Šͺπ“π“Ž›π“£π“‡Œπ“ŒΈπ“ˆ–).
  3. The ushabtis have characteristics of the 19th dynasty such as the faience ushabtis which are holding a hoe in each hand π“ŒΈ (typical of 18th-25th dynasties)
Ushabtis of Seti I

This is my personal photograph and original text. DO NOT repost.Β 

Follow me @ancientegyptblogΒ onΒ InstagramΒ andΒ TikTokΒ to learn all about ancient Egypt, hieroglyphs, mythology, culture and more!

Ushabtis of Seti I
Categories
Egyptian Artifacts

Head of Hathor at the Louvre

This limestone π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“Œ‰ sculpture of the head of the goddess π“ŠΉπ“ Hathor 𓉑 is one of my favorite pieces that I saw in the Louvre because the intricate details are just striking. This piece is dated to the Ptolemaic Period, and used to be part of a column.Β 

Head of Hathor
Head of Hathor at the Louvre

Hathor 𓉑 is one of the most prominent goddesses π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ of the Egyptian pantheon. Along with Isis π“Š¨π“π“₯, she is regarded as the β€œGod’s mother π“…π“π“ŠΉβ€ of the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻, but is also the goddess π“ŠΉπ“ of love π“ˆ˜π“, joy 𓄫𓄣𓏏, music π“‡‹π“Ž›π“‡Œ, and dance π“‚‹π“…±π“‚»- basically the fun things in life! 

Hathor 𓉑 is usually associated with cows 𓄀𓆑𓂋𓏏𓃒π“ͺ and can take the form of a cow 𓄀𓆑𓂋𓏏𓃒 in many forms of Egyptian art. One detail that I love about this piece is that Hathor 𓉑 is shown with her cow ears! It is very common to see Hathor 𓉑 with her cow 𓄀𓆑𓂋𓏏𓃒 ears in art! 

Another detail that I love is how her wig 𓄿𓂋𓏏𓁸 is decorated with rosettes π“‡¬π“ˆ–π“ƒ€! The carvings are in raised relief, which only makes them stand out more. The work of the ancient Egyptian artists is truly incredible and never fails to amaze me!

Head of Hathor
Me with the Head of Hathor at the Louvre

This is my personal photograph and original text. DO NOT repost. 

Follow me @ancientegyptblog on Instagram and TikTok to learn all about ancient Egypt, hieroglyphs, mythology, culture and more!

Categories
Egyptian Artifacts

Sarcophagus of Rameses III

This striking red granite π“…“π“Œ³π“π“ŽΆ sarcophagus π“ŽŸπ“‹Ήπ“ˆ–π“π“Š­ belonged to the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Rameses III π“›π“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‹΄π“‹Ύπ“‰Ί. Rameses III π“‡³π“„Šπ“§π“ˆ˜π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ– was the second pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 of the 20th Dynasty and he ruled for 32 π“Ž†π“Ž†π“Ž†π“» turbulent years. His reign was marked by political, economic, and military issues.Β 

The most interesting part about Rameses III’s π“›π“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‹΄π“‹Ύπ“‰Ί reign for me is what is known as the β€œHarem Conspiracy” – Rameses III’s π“‡³π“„Šπ“§π“ˆ˜π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ– secondary wife, Tiye π“˜π“‡Œπ“­π“, plotted to have Rameses III π“‡³π“„Šπ“§π“ˆ˜π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ– killed so her son π“…­ Pentawer π“Šͺπ“ˆ–π“π“„Ώπ“…©π“‚‹π“Ή could become pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 instead of the chosen heir, Rameses IV π“‡³π“„Ÿπ“Šƒπ“Šƒ. While Tiye π“˜π“‡Œπ“­π“ and her conspirators (other high officials) succeeded in killing Rameses III π“›π“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‹΄π“‹Ύπ“‰Ί, they did not succeed in establishing Pentawer π“Šͺπ“ˆ–π“π“„Ώπ“…©π“‚‹π“Ή as pharaoh 𓉐𓉻.Β  All of the conspirators were caught and put to death and Rameses IV π“‡³π“„Ÿπ“Šƒπ“Šƒ succeeded Rameses III π“›π“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‹΄π“‹Ύπ“‰Ί as the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻.Β 

Sarcophagus of Rameses III
The Sarcophagus of Rameses III showing details of the goddess Isis.

Here, on the sarcophagus π“ŽŸπ“‹Ήπ“ˆ–π“π“Š­ of Rameses III π“›π“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‹΄π“‹Ύπ“‰Ί, Isis π“Š¨π“π“₯ is depicted where the feet of the deceased would be placed. Isis’ π“Š¨π“π“₯ sister Nepthys 𓉠𓏏𓆇 is usually located where the deceased’s head would be located. Isis π“Š¨π“π“₯ is easily recognized in Egyptian art because she is normally shown with the headdress of a throne, π“Š¨, which is also one of the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ in her name π“‚‹π“ˆ–. Isis π“Š¨π“π“₯ is shown with wings π“‚§π“Œ³π“π“†ƒπ“¦ and sitting on the hieroglyph π“ŠΉπ“Œƒ for β€œgold π“‹ž.” 

Isis π“Š¨π“π“₯ is known as a devoted wife 𓂑𓏏𓁐 and mother 𓅐𓏏𓁐, but was also associated with resurrection π“„Ÿπ“Ώπ“…± due to her role in piecing her brother/husband Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­ back together after he was dismembered by their brother Seth π“Šƒπ“π“„‘π“£. She is the mother 𓅐𓏏𓁐 of Horus π“…ƒπ“€­, who was magically conceived after Isis π“Š¨π“π“₯ brought Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­ back to life π“‹Ή. 

This is my personal photograph and original text. DO NOT repost.Β 

Follow me @ancientegyptblogΒ onΒ InstagramΒ andΒ TikTokΒ to learn all about ancient Egypt, hieroglyphs, mythology, culture and more!

Categories
Egyptian Artifacts

Scribes in Ancient Egypt

Happy first day of school to all of us in New York!! To celebrate, let’s learn about scribes π“Ÿπ“€€π“ͺ!Β 

Scribes
A beautiful statue of a scribe on display at the Louvre in Paris, France

Scribes π“Ÿπ“€€π“ͺ were very highly regarded in ancient Egyptian society. Due to the complexity of hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ/hieratic, those who were able to master it were extremely valued. Scribes π“Ÿπ“€€π“ͺ recorded magic spells, wills and other legal contracts, medical procedures, and tax records. Scribes π“Ÿπ“€€π“ͺ also helped to preserve Egyptian culture throughout time. They were considered part of the royal court and did not have to serve in the military because their job as a scribe π“Ÿπ“€€ was so essential. 

It took almost ten π“Ž† years for a person to complete scribal training and children started school as young as five 𓏾 years old. Though most scribes π“Ÿπ“€€π“ͺ are shown to be men π“Šƒπ“€€π“€, there is archaeological evidence that some girls also attended school and learned to read. Most boys inherited the job of scribe π“Ÿπ“€€ from their father 𓇋𓏏𓀀 as is the same with other occupations in ancient Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–. 

Fun fact: it took me about six 𓏿 years to really master reading hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! Even though I’ve been practicing/reading them for over 25 π“Ž†π“Ž†π“Ύ years now, I’m still learning every single day – that’s the beauty of learning a language! The learning is never complete!

There were also many different types of scribes π“Ÿπ“€€π“ͺ in ancient Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–, and their roles were usually designated by titles written on funerary objects π“ˆŽπ“‚‹π“‹΄π“π“π“Š­ such as stelae π“Ž—π“…±π“†“π“‰Έπ“¦! 

π“ž – Scribe

π“Ÿπ“€€ – Scribe

π“‡“π“ž – King’s Scribe / Royal Scribe / King’s Secretary

π“žπ“Žπ“› – Scribe of Accounts 

π“žπ“ŠΉπ“‰—π“π“‰ – Scribe of the Temple

π“žπ“Ž˜π“Ž›π“²π“‹π“« – Scribe of the Offering Table

π“žπ“‰’ – Scribe of the Treasury

This is my personal photograph and original text. DO NOT repost. 

@ancientegyptblogΒ on Instagram and TikTok

Categories
Reading Hieroglyphs

Relief of Rameses II and Horus

Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ!

Today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³ we are going to look at this fragmented relief from the Louvre which depicts the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Rameses II π“‡³π“„Šπ“§π“‡³π“‰π“ˆ– and the god π“ŠΉ Horus π“…ƒπ“€­! Horus is holding Rameses II’s π“‡³π“„Šπ“§π“‡³π“‰π“ˆ– hand and leading him. How do we know that this is a depiction of Horus π“…ƒπ“€­ since there are many falcon gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ? The word “Edfu π“„‘π“‚§π“π“Š–” in the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ is a major clue – Horus π“…ƒπ“€­ of the Winged Disc or β€œBehdetite” was the chief god π“ŠΉ of the city π“Š–!

Look at who is leading Horus π“…ƒπ“€­- it’s the god π“ŠΉ Wepwawet π“„‹π“ˆπ“₯𓏏𓃧 who is the β€œOpener of the Ways!” Wepwawet π“„‹π“ˆπ“₯𓏏𓃧 appears on a standard and is associated leading ritual processions.Β 

Rameses II and Horus
Relief showing Rameses II and Horus

Above the depiction is actually part of Rameses II’s royal titularly! Each pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 had five names, and the first one that appears is known as the β€œHorus Name.” Rameses II had many variants of his Horus Name, but we will look at the one that appears here: β€œπ“‚‘π“ƒ’π“§π“ŒΊ Strong Bull, Beloved of Maat”

π“‚‘ – Strong

𓃒 – Bull

𓁧 – Maat

π“ŒΊ – Beloved

After that, the Nebty Name π“…’ is listed! The Nebty Name is distinguished by the Nebty or Two Ladies symbol β€œπ“…’.” Only the partial name appears on the relief: β€œπ“…–π“Ž‘π“†Žπ“π“Š– Protector of Egypt.”

π“…– – Protector 

π“Ž‘π“†Žπ“π“Š– – Egypt (Kemet) (most commonly, Kemet is written as β€œπ“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–,” however this is another variant).

The full name is as follows: π“…–π“Ž‘π“†Žπ“π“Š–π“…±π“‚π“†‘π“²π“‚‘π“ˆŠπ“π“¦ β€œProtector of Egypt Who Curbs Foreign Lands.” 

Rameses II and Horus
Relief showing Rameses II and Horus

Above Horus π“…ƒπ“€­ appears:Β 

π“„‘π“‚§π“π“Š– – Edfu

π“ŽŸ- Lord

𓇯 – Sky

π“„€ – Perfect

π“ŠΉ – God 

π“‡³π“„Šπ“§π“‡³π“‰π“ˆ– – Usermaatre setep en Ra (Throne Name of Rameses II which translates to β€œThe Justice of Ra is powerful, Chosen of Ra.”)

𓏙 – Given

π“‹Ή – Life 

π“Œ€ – Strength

All together the inscription says: “Edfu, Lord of the Sky, the Perfect God Usermaatre setep en Ra Give Life and Strength.”

To the left of Rameses II: 

π“ƒΉπ“ˆ–π“ˆ– – It Is

π“„€ – Perfect

π“ŠΉ – God 

π“‡³π“„Šπ“§π“‡³π“‰π“ˆ– – Usermaatre setep en Ra

All together the inscription says: “It Is the Pefect God Usermaatre setep en Ra.”

This is my personal photograph and original text. DO NOT repost. 

@ancientegyptblog

Categories
Egyptian Artifacts

Akhenaten and Me!

I’ve never shared this picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏 because of the glare, but not every picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏 needs to be perfect π“„€! My Nonno took this photo 𓏏𓅱𓏏 of Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– and me at the Louvre in what I call the β€œAmarna Gallery!” Β  You can tell by my smile how happy 𓄫𓅱𓏛 I was!Β Seeing a statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 in real life that I have only seen in books feels like meeting a celebrity!

Akhenaten and Me
Akhenaten and Me at the Louvre!

The Louvre has an impressive collection of statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ and artifacts from Akhenaten’s π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– reign π“‹Ύπ“ˆŽπ“ and I was so excited to be able to see them – this was probably the gallery I spent the most time in at the Louvre! After Hatshepsut 𓇳𓁦𓂓, Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– is my second favorite pharaoh 𓉐𓉻!

This particular limestone π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“Œ‰ statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 of Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– surprised me when I saw it in person for the first time! I thought it was going to be a lot smaller, so I was shocked to see just how big it was! The piece is also incredibly well preserved – the Uraeus 𓇋𓂝𓂋𓏏𓆗 on Akhenaten’s π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– forehead is still somewhat intact, and the design details on the skirt are clearly defined. Also, Akhenaten is holding both the crook π“‹Ύ and flail π“Œ… in one hand 𓂝𓏺 instead of one in each hand 𓂝𓏺! 

The Louvre has this statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 named β€œStatue of an Amarna King.” To me, this statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 looks like it is from the early part of Akhenaten’s π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– reign π“‹Ύπ“ˆŽπ“ because there are both traditional Egyptian elements and Amarna-era elements (elongated face and limbs, more body fat in the stomach and thighs) present in the statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾. If I were to guess, this was probably made before year 5 𓏾 of Akhenaten’s π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– reign π“‹Ύπ“ˆŽπ“, when he still had the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– Amenhotep IV π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“ŠΉπ“‹Ύπ“Œ€. However, there are no hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ on the statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 to confirm this, I am basing this inference just on the artistic style alone! 

This piece really is just stunning to see in person! 

This is my personal photograph and original text. DO NOT repost. 

Categories
Reading Hieroglyphs

Hieroglyphs on Mummification Vase

Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! 

Today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³ we are going to be looking at an inscription π“Ÿπ“›π“₯ that is on a blue 𓇋𓁹𓏏𓄿𓏸π“₯ faience π“‹£π“ˆ–π“π“Έπ“Ό vase π“ π“ˆ–π“‡‹π“‹ that might have been used during the mummification π“‹΄π“‚§π“π“…±π“Ž process! This vase π“ π“ˆ–π“‡‹π“‹ is dated to the 19th Dynasty. How do we know it’s from the 19th Dynasty? We can look at the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ that show the throne name and birth name of the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Rameses II π“‡³π“„Šπ“§π“‡³π“‰π“ˆ–!

Mummification Vase
A Mummification Vase with the cartouches of the pharaoh Rameses II (19th Dynasty)

We are going to start reading from the middle-left column!Β 

π“ŽŸπ“‡Ώπ“‡Ώ – Lord of the Two Lands

π“‡³π“„Šπ“§π“‡³π“‰π“ˆ– – Usermaatre setep en Ra (Throne Name of Rameses II which translates to β€œThe Justice of Ra is powerful, Chosen of Ra.”)

𓏙𓋹- Given Life

The left column:Β 

π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“‡³π“Ί – Amun-Ra

π“‡“π“π“ŠΉπ“¦- King of the Gods

π“ŽŸ – Lord

π“Šͺ𓏏𓇯 – Sky

π“ŒΈπ“‡Œ – Beloved

The middle-right column:Β 

π“ŽŸπ“ˆπ“₯ – Lord of Appearances 

π“©π“›π“ˆ˜π“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‡“ – Ramessu mery Amun (Birth Name of Rameses II which translates to β€œRa has fashioned him, beloved of Amun.”)

𓇳𓏺 – Ra

𓏇 – Like

𓆄 – Truth (Maat) 

This last part would translate to β€œTruth Like Ra.” 

The right column:Β 

π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“‡³π“Ί – Amun-Ra

π“ŽŸπ“ŽΌπ“ŽΌπ“ŽΌπ“‡Ώπ“‡Ώ – Lord of the Thrones

π“ŒΈπ“‡Œ – Beloved

Categories
Egyptian Artifacts

Ushabti of Amenhotep III

One of the things I love so much about ushabti π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύ figures is the fact that they are all so different! Even ushabti π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύ figures from the same time period have a lot of variation! For example, ushabtis π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύπ“ͺ that are from the same burial can contain many different types of ushabtis π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύπ“ͺ! Many ushabtis π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύπ“ͺ that belonged to the 18th Dynasty pharaohs 𓉐𓉻𓏦 contained a combination of wood 𓆱𓏏𓏺, faience π“‹£π“ˆ–π“π“Έπ“Ό, and stone π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‚‹π“Šͺ ushabti π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύ figures!Β 

Ushabti of Amenhotep III
A mummiform ushabti of pharaoh Amenhotep III (left) on display at the Louvre in Paris, France. This ushabti is made of red granite, which is unusual!

The ushabti π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύ on the left side of this picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏 belonged to the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Amenhotep III π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“‹Ύπ“‹† and was found in his tomb π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰ in the Valley of the Kings. In the Louvre, this piece is listed as β€œMummiform Funerary Servant (Serviteur FunΓ©raire Momiforme)” which basically means a ushabti π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύ that looks like a mummy 𓇋𓁹𓅱𓀾! This particular ushabti π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύ is made of red granite π“…“π“Œ³π“π“ŽΆ! 

The word “mummiform” is used by Egyptologists to describe various artifacts that look like a mummy 𓇋𓁹𓅱𓀾! So what characteristics makes this ushabti π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύ mummiform?Β  The ushabti π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύ is fashioned in the style of the god π“ŠΉ Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­; its crossed arms are holding a crook π“‹Ύ and flail π“Œ…. Much like the god π“ŠΉ Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­, mummies 𓇋𓁹𓅱𓀾π“ͺ (at least those who could afford it) were also laid to rest in this fashion. The ushabti π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύ is also wearing the false beard π“π“ƒ€π“Šƒπ“…±π“π“Έ, and the white crown π“„€π“‹‘ with a uraeus 𓇋𓂝𓂋𓏏𓆗 (that is hard to see but is still there).Β 

This ushabti π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύ has a lot of beautiful 𓄀𓆑𓂋 hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ engraved on it, but the text is too small π“ˆ–π“†“π“‹΄π“…© for me to see! The only thing I can really make out is the cartouche of Amenhotep III π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“‹Ύπ“‹†.