Tag: the met

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Egyptian Artifacts

The Wooden Tomb Models of Meketre

I love wooden 𓆱𓏏𓏺 tomb models so much! As a kid they reminded me of dolls and dollhouses! Another thing I loved about them was how excited my Nonno would get over wooden 𓆱𓏏𓏺 pieces – he would always talk about how important wooden 𓆱𓏏𓏺 artifacts were. Since wood 𓆱𓏏𓏺 decomposes over time, it is more rare to have wooden 𓆱𓏏𓏺 artifacts be found in good condition as opposed to stoneΒ π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‚‹π“Šͺ.Β 

The models in this post (and many others) were found in the tombΒ π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰Β of the Royal Chief Steward Meketre who lived during the reign π“‹Ύ of Montuhotep IIΒ π“ π“ˆ–π“Ώπ“…±π“Š΅π“π“ŠͺΒ and possibly Amenemhat IΒ π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“…“π“„‚π“. Meketre’s high status as an officialΒ π“‹΄π“‚‹π“€€Β is why he was able to afford so many wooden 𓆱𓏏𓏺 models and such an elaborate burial.Β 

While the main part of Meketre’sΒ tombΒ π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰ had been plundered in ancient times, excavators found a hidden chamber, and that is where all of the wooden 𓆱𓏏𓏺 models were found! There were 24 π“Ž†π“Ž†π“½ almost perfectly preserved models found in theΒ tombΒ π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰. Half of the models are at the MET, while the other half are at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo!

While Egyptian π“†Žπ“π“€€π“ religious beliefs didn’t necessarily change much over time, some of the customs did! The Egyptians π“†Žπ“π“€€π“π“ͺ believed that the dead π“…“𓏏𓏱 needed nourishment in the forms of food 𓇬𓀁𓅱𓏔π“₯ and water π“ˆ—, even in the afterlife π“‡Όπ“„Ώπ“π“‰. During the Old Kingdom, this was achieved by depicting different types of food 𓇬𓀁𓅱𓏔π“₯ production on tomb π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰ and chapel walls. In the Middle Kingdom, this practice evolved into placing wooden 𓆱𓏏𓏺 models depicting different types of food 𓇬𓀁𓅱𓏔π“₯ production in a sealed chamber in the tomb π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰. It was thought that the models would hold more magical π“Ž›π“‚“π“„Ώπ“œ power than the carvings! 

This wooden model depicts a slaughterhouse.

Cows 𓄀𓆑𓂋𓏏𓃒𓏦 and geese π“Šƒπ“‚‹π“…¬π“¦ are being slaughtered by butchers, and dried out meat 𓇋𓅱𓆑𓄹 can be seen hanging above them. Butchery was considered a high status occupation in ancient EgyptΒ π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–, and most of the population did not have access to meat 𓇋𓅱𓆑𓄹 as a type of food 𓇬𓀁𓅱𓏔π“₯. Even having access to meat 𓇋𓅱𓆑𓄹 in the afterlife 𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐 was a sign of status!

This model is of a granary π“Ššπ“π“‰, and the model is divided into two 𓏻 sections.

The β€œtop” section in my picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏 is of the actual granaryΒ π“Ššπ“π“‰, where the grainΒ π“ˆŽπ“„Ώπ“…±π“Έπ“¦Β was stored. The β€œbottom” section is of the accounting area, where scribesΒ π“Ÿπ“€€π“ͺΒ are seen keeping records with supplies such as papyrus rolls 𓅓𓍑𓏏𓏛𓏦 and wooden boards.Β The ancient EgyptiansΒ π“†Žπ“π“€€π“π“ͺΒ relied heavily on grainΒ π“ˆŽπ“„Ώπ“…±π“Έπ“¦Β for food 𓇬𓀁𓅱𓏔π“₯, so it was an absolute must for them to keepΒ meticulous records about their supply.Β 

It is interesting to note that there are only six 𓏿 workers carrying/pouring out the grain π“ˆŽπ“„Ώπ“…±π“Έπ“¦, while there are nine scribes π“Ÿπ“€€π“ͺ for record keeping! Either this is a coincidence, or a commentary on just how important scribes π“Ÿπ“€€π“ͺ were to society in ancient Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–! 

Another thing I absolutely love about theΒ wooden 𓆱𓏏𓏺 models are how detailed they are! If you look at the workers who are pouring grainΒ π“ˆŽπ“„Ώπ“…±π“Έπ“¦Β into the granaryΒ π“Ššπ“π“‰, they have dust π“π“…“π“…±π“Š‘ all over their faces! This would be from them pouring the grainΒ π“ˆŽπ“„Ώπ“…±π“Έπ“¦, and some of the dust π“π“…“π“…±π“Š‘ coming back up at them!Β 

These wooden models are so amazing because they provide a look into some of the more common aspects of life π“‹Ή in ancient Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–, despite the fact that Meketre’s high status as an official π“‹΄π“‚‹π“€€ is why he was able to afford so many wooden π“†±π“π“Ί models and such an elaborate burial. 

This next model has no people in it! This model is of a β€œPorch and Garden π“Ž›π“Šƒπ“Šͺπ“ˆˆ,” and beautifully π“„€ painted 𓇨𓂋𓅱𓏭𓏸𓏦 columns (in the form of papyrus plants) can be seen on the porch part.

My favorite part of the model is that there is actually a pool π“ˆ™π“ˆ‡ in the center that could have been potentially filled with water π“ˆ—! The area around the pool π“ˆ™π“ˆ‡ is lined with sycamore trees π“ˆ–π“‰”π“π“†­π“ͺ, and while it is hard to see in this picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏, there are little red figs 𓂧𓄿𓃀𓇭π“ͺ growing on the branches! Sycamore trees π“ˆ–π“‰”π“π“†­π“ͺ are commonly associated with the goddess π“ŠΉπ“ Hathor 𓉑.Β 

Some Egyptologists think that this piece would have functioned similarly to a β€œSoul House,” which we’re clay models that usually had an open court for offerings π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ𓏏𓏔𓏦 or water π“ˆ—.  This garden π“Ž›π“Šƒπ“Šͺπ“ˆˆ model could also be thought of as a libation basin π“Œ»π“‚‹π“ˆ˜ (because of the pool π“ˆ™π“ˆ‡ of waterπ“ˆ—) that is decorated really nicely! 

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Reading Hieroglyphs

Pylon Shaped Stela of Rameses II

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

TodayΒ π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³Β we are going to be looking at a β€œPylon Shaped Stela of Rameses II” (c.Β 1279–1213 B.C.E.) at the MET. This piece is made of limestoneΒ π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“Œ‰Β and describes Rameses IIΒ π“‡³π“„Šπ“§π“‡³π“‰π“ˆ–!Β 

Here is the left two columns:

π“©π“›π“ˆ˜π“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‡“ – Rameses II (Birth Name)

𓉑 – Hathor

π“ŽŸπ“ – Lady 

𓆭𓏏 – Sycamore 

𓇔𓏏 – Southern 

π“ŒΊ – Beloved 

Put all together, this inscription reads: β€œRameses II, Beloved of Hathor, Lady of the Southern Sycamore.” 

Here are the right two columns: 

π“‡³π“„Šπ“§π“‡³π“‰π“ˆ– – Rameses II (Throne Name)

𓉑 – Hathor

π“ŽŸπ“ – Lady 

π“‹€π“π“π“ˆŠ – West

π“ŒΊ – Beloved 

Put all together, this inscription reads: β€œRameses II, Beloved of Hathor, Lady of the West.” 

Hathor π“‰‘ has the title β€œLady of the West π“ŽŸπ“π“‹€π“π“π“ˆŠβ€ because of her roles was to provide peace and solace to the souls π“‚“π“‚“π“‚“ of the deceased π“…“𓏏𓏱 as they entered the afterlife π“‡Όπ“„Ώπ“π“‰. Many people obviously associate Hathor π“‰‘ with love, joy π“„«π“π“„£, music π“‰”π“‡Œπ“†Έ etc, but she was also a prominent funerary goddess π“ŠΉπ“! 

Hathor π“‰‘ has the title β€œLady of the Southern Sycamore π“ŽŸπ“π“†­π“π“‡”𓏏” or just β€œLady of the Sycamore π“ŽŸπ“π“ˆ–𓉔𓏏𓆭” because the sycamore tree π“ˆ–𓉔𓏏𓆭 was one of the native trees in Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–, and it grew at the edge of the desert π“…Ÿπ“‚‹π“π“ˆŠ! This would put it near necropolises, tombs π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰π“¦ etc, so it was associated with the dead π“…“𓏏𓏱! Hathor π“‰‘ was considered one of the tree goddesses π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“, along with Isis π“Š¨π“π“₯ and Nut π“Œπ“π“‡―π“€­. 

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Egyptian Artifacts Reading Hieroglyphs

The Sistrum of Pharaoh Teti

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

TodayΒ π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³Β we are going to be looking at a sistrumΒ π“Šƒπ“ˆ™π“ˆ™π“π“£Β which has the various names π“‚‹π“ˆ–π“¦ of the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Teti π“Šͺπ“‡Œ on it!

While most sistrumsΒ π“Šƒπ“ˆ™π“ˆ™π“π“£π“ͺ contain an image 𓏏𓅱𓏏 of the goddess π“ŠΉπ“ Hathor 𓉑 on the handle, this is actually one of the earliest sistrumsΒ π“Šƒπ“ˆ™π“ˆ™π“π“£π“ͺΒ ever found (c.Β 2323–2291Β B.C.E.) and is dated to the 6th Dynasty (Old Kingdom) so it is a little bit different than the sistrumsΒ π“Šƒπ“ˆ™π“ˆ™π“π“£π“ͺΒ we are used to seeing! The top part of the sistrumΒ π“Šƒπ“ˆ™π“ˆ™π“π“£ which contains the hieroglyphsΒ π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺΒ is supposed to be a shrineΒ π“π“Šƒπ“…“π“‚œπ“‰.

The hieroglyphsΒ π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ on the sistrumΒ π“Šƒπ“ˆ™π“ˆ™π“π“£ are a list of theΒ pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Teti’s π“Šͺπ“‡Œ various names π“‚‹π“ˆ–π“₯! Something interesting is that Teti’s π“Šͺπ“‡Œ names (except the birth name) are only mentioned on this sistrumΒ π“Šƒπ“ˆ™π“ˆ™π“π“£Β – I don’t think the names π“‚‹π“ˆ–π“₯ have been inscribed anywhere else! Usually just Teti π“Šͺπ“‡Œ is seen! Also, Teti π“Šͺπ“‡Œ Β doesn’t seem to have a throne name π“‚‹π“ˆ–!! Let’s take a closer look!Β 

Let’s start from the right-most column:

π“†₯ – King of Upper and Lower Egypt

(𓅭𓇳π“Šͺπ“‡Œ) – Son of Ra, Teti (in the Old Kingdom, the titles were sometimes placed in the cartouche) (Birth Name) 

Left-most column: 

π“…’π“‹΄π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ – Sehotep Nebty (The One Who Has Satisfied the Two Lands) (Nebty Name)

π“„₯π“…‰ – Bik Nebu Sema (The Uniter) (Golden Horus Name)

Middle column:

π“‹΄π“Š΅π“π“Šͺπ“ˆ™π“ˆ™ – Sehotep Tawy (The One Who Pacifies the Two Lands) (Horus Name) 

The bottom row: 

𓏙 – Given 

π“‹Ή – Life

π“Œ€ – Strength

𓆖 – Eternity

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Reading Hieroglyphs

The Names of Pharaoh Merenptah (Usurped Statue Part II)

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

TodayΒ π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³Β we are going to be taking a closer look at one of the statues π“„šπ“ˆ–π“π“­π“€Ύπ“ͺ that MerenptahΒ π“‡³π“ƒ’π“ˆ–π“ˆ˜π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉΒ usurped from Amenhotep IIIΒ π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“‹Ύπ“‹†! There are definitely some familiar hieroglyphic π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ phrases here that some of you will recognize!! This statue is at the π“„šπ“ˆ–π“π“­π“€Ύ MET!

The hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ here show three 𓏼 names π“‚‹π“ˆ–π“¦: the Horus Name, the Throne Name and the Given Name! Since the symbols are pointing to the left, let’s start reading from the left!Β 

π“‚‘π“ƒ’π“Ž›π“‚π“€ π“…“π“π“†„ – β€œThe Strong Bull Who Rejoiced in Truth” (Horus Name)

π“ŽŸπ“‡Ώπ“‡Ώ – Lord of the Two Lands

π“žπ“©π“ˆ˜π“ˆ–π“ƒ’ – β€œThe Soul of Ra, Beloved of Amun” (Ba en Ra, mery Amun) (Throne Name)

π“ŽŸπ“ˆπ“₯ – Lord of Appearances 

π“°π“§π“ˆ˜π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“·π“Ί – β€œBeloved of Ptah, Maat is Satisfied” (Mer en Ptah hotep her Maat) (Birth Name) 

Now let’s look at the bottom line of hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! 

π“ŒΊπ“žπ“©π“ˆ˜π“ˆ–π“ƒ’ – Ba en Ra, mery Amun (Throne Name)

𓅭𓇳 – Son of Ra

π“ŽŸπ“ˆπ“₯ – Lord of Appearances 

π“ŒΊπ“°π“§π“ˆ˜π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“·π“Ί – Merenptah (Birth Name) 

π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“‡³π“Ί – Amun-Ra

π“ŒΉ – Beloved 

𓋍 – this symbol on the side of the statue π“„šπ“ˆ–π“π“­π“€Ύ is thought to be representative of the unification of Upper π“‡“ and Lower π“†€ Egypt.

Something else that is interesting is that there are name π“‚‹π“ˆ– variants on the same statue π“„šπ“ˆ–𓏏𓏭𓀾! Name π“‚‹π“ˆ– variants were just different ways to write the same name π“‚‹π“ˆ– in hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! 

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Egyptian Artifacts

Usurped Statues of Amenhotep III (Part 1)

I must admit – I am very guilty of walking past these statuesΒ π“„šπ“ˆ–π“π“­π“€Ύπ“ͺΒ at the MET a lot because usually I want to go straight for the Temple of Dendur!! These pictures 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓏦 are from May, but when I went to the MET earlier this month I got some close up photos 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓏦 of these gorgeous π“„€ statuesΒ π“„šπ“ˆ–π“π“­π“€Ύπ“ͺ, so I’m going to do a bit of a series on them! TodayΒ π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³Β we will learn the history, and then we will read the hieroglyphsΒ π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺΒ tomorrow 𓇼𓄿𓇳!Β 

These two 𓏻 statues π“„šπ“ˆ–π“π“­π“€Ύπ“ͺ originally belonged to the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Amenhotep III π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“‹Ύπ“‹†. While these two 𓏻 statues π“„šπ“ˆ–𓏏𓏭𓀾π“ͺ now adorn the entrance to the museum exhibit of the Temple of Dendur, they originally were located at Amenhotep III’s π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“‹Ύπ“‹† temple π“‰Ÿπ“π“‰ dedicated to Amun-Ra π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–𓇳𓏺 at Thebes π“Œ€π“π“Š– (modern day Luxor). Amenhotep III π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“‹Ύπ“‹† ruled π“‹Ύ Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– during the 18th Dynasty. 

Then in the 19th Dynasty, along came the pharaoh π“‰π“‰» Merenptah π“‡³π“ƒ’π“ˆ–π“ˆ˜π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ! Merenptah π“‡³π“ƒ’π“ˆ–π“ˆ˜π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ was the son π“…­ of Rameses II π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ˜π“‡³π“Ίπ“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‡“, and like father π“‡‹π“π“€€ like son π“…­, Merenptah π“‡³π“ƒ’π“ˆ–π“ˆ˜π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ usurped the statues π“„šπ“ˆ–𓏏𓏭𓀾π“ͺ of other pharaohs π“‰π“‰»π“¦ and put his name π“‚‹π“ˆ– on them! 

Usurping can be thought of as ancient plagiarism, and was very common during this time period. While I equate usurpation to plagiarism to put it in a modern context, the purpose wasn’t to defame the previous pharaohs 𓉐𓉻𓏦 of EgyptΒ π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–. The purpose was for the common pharaoh to promote his own rule π“‹Ύ, and what better way to do that than to use statuesΒ π“„šπ“ˆ–π“π“­π“€Ύπ“ͺ, templesΒ π“‰Ÿπ“π“‰π“¦, etc. that already are made!?

It is always funny to see a statue π“„šπ“ˆ–𓏏𓏭𓀾 that has the facial features of one pharaoh π“‰π“‰», but has the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– of another pharaoh π“‰π“‰» on it! Rameses II π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ˜π“‡³π“Ίπ“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‡“ did this all the time – that man’s name π“‚‹π“ˆ– is everywhere! 

Categories
Reading Hieroglyphs

The Horus Name of Rameses II

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

Today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–𓇳 we are going to be looking at the Horus Name for the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Rameses II! So far, I have really only spoken about the Throne Name (π“‡³π“„Šπ“§π“‡³π“‰π“ˆ–) and the Birth Name (π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ˜π“‡³π“Ίπ“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‡“), so let’s take a closer look at the Horus Name! 

The Horus Name is the oldest way that a pharaoh’s 𓉐𓉻 name π“‚‹π“ˆ– was written/identified and is one of five 𓏾 ways to write the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– of a pharaoh 𓉐𓉻. The Horus Name consists of three elements: the palace facade π“Š, Horus the Falcon π“…ƒ standing on top of the palace π“Š, and the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– of the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 within the palace π“Š. The palace π“Š hieroglyph π“ŠΉπ“Œƒ is pronounced like β€œserekh” and some Egyptologists are now referring to the Horus Name as the Serekh Name. This was basically the early version of the cartouche! 

Rameses II π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ˜π“‡³π“Ίπ“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‡“ had a lot of different variations of his Horus Name, so let’s take a look at the two 𓏻 that are pictured! 

π“‚‘π“ƒ’π“›π“ŒΊ – β€œStrong Bull, Beloved of Ra”

π“‚‘π“ƒ’π“§π“ŒΊ – β€œStrong Bull, Beloved of Maat”

β€œStrong Bull π“‚‘π“ƒ’β€œ was a very popular way to start off the Horus Name because bulls 𓃒𓃒𓃒 were a symbol of strength π“Œ€ and fertility, both of which are qualities that pharaohs 𓉐𓉻𓏦 wanted to have!

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Blog

“First Love”

I’ve had this written for a while but haven’t posted it because it is very feelings-y and very different from my usual posts. I am a huge fan of the group BTS. They are a Korean boy band whose music has basically gotten me through 2020. While I love all of their music, one of their songs has really struck a chord with me because it basically puts my feelings about ancient Egypt into words. The song is called β€œFirst Love” and it is written and performed by Min Yoongi (aka SUGA). While you would expect a song with this title to be about a person, it is in fact about Yoongi’s love for the piano from a very young age and his lifelong journey with his childhood piano.


I have always called Ancient Egypt my β€œfirst love” so when I listened to the song and I read the translation I immediately related to it. While I am passionate about many things, Egypt is always the thing that I will return to because Egypt’s history is just something I love so deeply. Throughout my life, I have so many beautiful memories in my Nonnoβ€˜s basement looking through his books and staring up at the bookcases hoping to one day be able to read every single word that they contain. So many memories of listening to my Nonno explain the significance of each piece in museums. These feelings of childish wonder are emotions that I always wish to return to.

β€œWhen I was fed up and lost, Back then when I fell into a pit of despair, Even when I pushed you away, Even when I resented meeting you, You were firmly by my side, You didn’t have to say anything, So don’t ever let go of my hand, I won’t let you go ever again either, My birth and the end of my life, You will be there to watch over it all” -First Love


I feel like a picture of me with my favorite Hatshepsut π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ statue is appropriate for this type of post! I’m 16 in this picture!

Categories
Egyptian Artifacts

The Temple of Dendur

The Temple of Dendur is gorgeous π“„€ – the room that it is located in makes it actually feel like you are along the Nile River π“‡‹π“π“‚‹π“…±π“ˆ—π“ˆ˜π“ˆ‡π“Ί in Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–!

This room is one of my absolute favorite places – sometimes I like to sit on one of the benches and just enjoy the atmosphere of it! Visiting the temple only makes me want to go to Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– more!


The temple π“‰Ÿπ“π“‰ was actually commissioned by Augustus and building was complete by 10 B.C. Dendur is located in Nubia, and is just south of Aswan. Even though the temple π“‰Ÿπ“π“‰ was built by Augustus, it definitely follows Egyptian style and not Roman style. The emperor is actually presented as a pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 worshipping Egyptian gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ on the walls of the temple π“‰Ÿπ“π“‰. The temple π“‰Ÿπ“π“‰ was primarily used to worship the goddess π“ŠΉπ“ Isis π“Š¨π“π“₯.

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Egyptian Artifacts

Ostraca of Senemut


Ostraca are basically the ancient Egyptian version of a sketch pad or scrap paper! They were used by scribes π“Ÿπ“€€π“ͺ or artists to practice their craft! The ostraca were usually chips of limestone or broken pottery.


These ostraca at the MET are very awesome because they depict Senemut π“Œ’π“ˆ–π“…π“€Ό!! Senemut π“Œ’π“ˆ–π“…π“€Ό was Hatshepsut’s 𓇳𓁦𓂓 most trusted advisor (and in my opinion, they were definitely much closer than that 😜). Senemut π“Œ’π“ˆ–π“…π“€Ό was not only the tutor for Hatshepsut’s 𓇳𓁦𓂓 daughter 𓅭𓏏 Neferure 𓇳𓄀 π“„€ π“„€, the royal architect in charge of Deir el-Bahri, but he was also the Steward to Amun π“†“π“‰π“Ίπ“‡‹π“ π“ˆ– at Karnak.

The sketch of Senemut π“Œ’π“ˆ–π“…π“€Ό on these ostraca are very similar to the sketches of Senemut π“Œ’π“ˆ–π“…π“€Ό that are seen in his tomb!

These were always some of my favorite pieces to see as a kid! Not only because it was Senemut π“Œ’π“ˆ–π“…π“€Ό, but also I loved seeing how the Egyptians π“†Žπ“π“€€π“π“ͺ used to do things!! Seeing the grids and seeing their β€œsketch pads” allowed me a glimpse into just how some of this incredible art was created!

Categories
Egyptian Artifacts

Bronze Statue of Isis, Osiris and Horus


This bronze statue at the MET is from the Ptolemaic Period (664 – 31 B.C.E.) represents Isis π“Š¨π“π“₯, Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­ and Horus π“…ƒπ“€­- the main triad of the Egyptian pantheon.

Here, Horus π“…ƒπ“€­ is represented in his Greek form Harpokrates, with his trademarked “finger to lips” pose. This pose represents the β€œbe quiet” gesture because to the Greeks Harpokrates was the god π“ŠΉ of silence. What is interesting about this piece is that there are suspension loops on the back of Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­ and Harpokrates – this piece is probably too big to be worn as a necklace, so the loops may have some type of unknown symbolic significance.

Many gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ in the Egyptian pantheon appeared in groups of threes 𓏼, which were known as Triads. They were groups of gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ that usually have some type of familial significance to each other. For example, one of the Memphis triads during this period was Ptah π“Šͺπ“π“Ž›π“±, Sekhmet π“Œ‚π“π“…“π“π“, and Nefertem 𓄀𓆑𓂋𓏏𓍃𓀯. Nefertem 𓄀𓆑𓂋𓏏𓍃𓀯 is the son of Ptah π“Šͺπ“π“Ž›π“± and Sekhmet π“Œ‚π“π“…“π“π“, just like Horus π“…ƒπ“€­ is the son of Isis π“Š¨π“π“₯ and Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­!!