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Egyptian Artifacts

The Memphis Triad

While Harry, Ron, and Hermione are most definitely my favorite trio of all time, the Memphis Triad comes pretty close!! In ancient Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–, groups of three 𓏼 gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ are referred to as β€œtriads” by Egyptologists! Triads were groups of gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ that usually had some type of familial significance to each other. Father 𓇋𓏏𓀀-Mother 𓄿𓏏𓁐-Child π“π“‡Œπ“€• triads and family 𓅕𓉔𓅱𓏏𓀀𓁐𓏦 units were extremely important to Egyptian culture!

The Memphis Triad
Ptah (left), Sekhmet (middle) and Imhotep (right) make up the Memphis Triad

The triads were usually made into a single statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾, however, at the MET they have displayed these three 𓏼 statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ together to form a triad which I think is so cool! This triad is known as the Memphis Triad, which consisted of Ptah π“Šͺπ“π“Ž›π“€­ (left), Sekhmet π“Œ‚π“π“…“π“π“ (middle) and Imhotep π“‡π“…“π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ (right). 

The Memphis Triad could also be Ptah π“Šͺπ“π“Ž›π“±, Sekhmet π“Œ‚π“π“…“π“π“, and Nefertem 𓄀𓆑𓂋𓏏𓍃𓀯. Nefertem 𓄀𓆑𓂋𓏏𓍃𓀯 was the son π“…­ of Ptah π“Šͺπ“π“Ž›π“± and Sekhmet π“Œ‚π“π“…“π“π“ in mythology. However, during the Ptolemaic times (which is when these bronze π“ˆ”π“€π“ˆ’π“¦ statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ are dated to), Imhotep π“‡π“…“π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ was widely worshipped 𓇼𓄿𓀒 as a god π“ŠΉ, and he kind of replaced Nefertem 𓄀𓆑𓂋𓏏𓍃𓀯 in the triad! Since Imhotep π“‡π“…“π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ was regarded by the Greeks as the Son π“…­ of Ptah π“Šͺπ“π“Ž›π“±, this unofficially made Sekhmet π“Œ‚π“π“…“π“π“ his mother 𓅐𓏏𓁐! 

Imhotep π“‡π“…“π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ, meaning β€œHe who comes in peace,” was a non-royal man who became deified.  Imhotep π“‡π“…“π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ was not deified in his lifetime – it was 2,000 𓆼𓆼 years after his death that he began to be worshipped 𓇼𓄿𓀒 as a god π“ŠΉ by the Greeks. 

This is my personal photograph and original text. DO NOT repost without permission.

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Egyptian Artifacts Video

Statue of Senemut – Video

This is a statue π“„šπ“ˆ–π“π“­π“€Ύ of Senemut π“Œ’π“ˆ–π“…π“€Ό holding a sistrum π“Šƒπ“ˆ™π“ˆ™π“π“£. A sistrum π“Šƒπ“ˆ™π“ˆ™π“π“£ was a musical instrument (like a rattle/tambourine) that was associated with the goddess π“ŠΉπ“ Hathor 𓉑. Sistrums π“Šƒπ“ˆ™π“ˆ™π“π“£π“ͺ usually had Hathor’s 𓉑 head 𓁢𓏀 (complete with her cow 𓄀𓆑𓂋𓏏𓃒 ears) on top of a long handle.Β 

It’s interesting to see a statue π“„šπ“ˆ–π“π“­π“€Ύ of Senemut π“Œ’π“ˆ–π“…π“€Ό holding something other than Hatshepsut’s π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ daughter Neferure 𓇳𓄀𓄀𓄀, because he is usually depicted with her. 

Senemut π“Œ’π“ˆ–π“…π“€Ό, although not of noble birth, became an extremely important figure during the reign of Hatshepsut π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ  Senemut π“Œ’π“ˆ–π“…π“€Ό was Hatshepsut’s π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ closest advisor, the tutor for her daughter Neferure 𓇳𓄀𓄀𓄀, and the architect responsible for building her mortuary temple at Deir el-Bahari 𓂦𓂋𓂦π“₯𓉐. 

Putting a commoner in such a powerful position might have been a strategic move by Hatshepsut π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ – it would pretty much guarantee that he remained loyal to her.Β 

Statue of Senemut
Statue of Senemut holding a sistrum at the MET

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Egyptian Artifacts

The “Hatshepsut Hole”

Gallery 115 π“²π“Ž†π“Ύ at the MET holds an incredible collection of statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ which depict Egypt’s π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– greatest female pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 (and just one of the greatest pharaohs 𓉐𓉻𓏦 ever), Hatshepsut π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ. This room is my happy place; there is just something so incredible about being in Hatshepsut’s 𓇳𓁦𓂓 presence! 

Most pharaohs’ π“‰π“‰»β€œgreatness” is based upon how extensive their building projects were, and Hatshepsut π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ had a lot of them. She built the first obelisk 𓉢 in over 90 years, had her mortuary temple at Deir el-Bahri 𓂦𓂋𓂦π“₯𓉐 constructed (where the statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ in this gallery were found), and had multiple projects from Sinai to Nubia. 

However, despite her extensive building projects, much of her work had been usurped or destroyed. Most of the statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ in this gallery have been reconstructed; the statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ were found in pieces and put back together like ancient puzzles by archaeologists.Β 

The "Hatshepsut Hole"
Me with some reconstructed/restored statues of Hatshepsut in Gallery 115 at the MET. These statues were found in The “Hatshepsut Hole.”

At Deir el-Bahri 𓂦𓂋𓂦π“₯𓉐, the β€œHatshepsut Hole” is where many of these fragmented statues were found buried during an excavation by the MET and the Egyptian government. About 25 π“Ž†π“Ž†π“Ύ years after Hatshepsut’s 𓇳𓁦𓂓 death, Thutmosis III 𓇳𓏠𓆣 went on a campaign to have her statuary destroyed and her name π“‚‹π“ˆ– taken off of monuments 𓏠𓏍. No one knows why this occurred or the events that lead up to Thutmosis III 𓇳𓏠𓆣 doing this! 

Ironically, while Thutmosis III 𓇳𓏠𓆣 tried to destroy and erase Hatshepsut’s π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ image 𓏏𓅱𓏏, by burying the statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ, they have survived in pretty good condition thanks to the Egyptian sand. In a way, Thutmosis III 𓇳𓏠𓆣 did Hatshepsut π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ (and archaeologists) a favor by allowing the statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ to be preserved instead of exposed to the elements/other pharaohs 𓉐𓉻𓏦. 

This is my personal photograph and original text. DO NOT repost without permission.

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Reading Hieroglyphs

Osiris and the Four Sons of Horus

This photo 𓏏𓅱𓏏 shows some of the details (Osiris and the Four Sons of Horus) on the mummiform coffin 𓅱𓇋𓀾 of a man named Kharrushere who lived during the Third Intermediate Period/22nd Dynasty (c. 825–712 B.C.E.). These elaborately decorated coffins 𓅱𓇋𓀾π“ͺ are very typical of this time period, and they’re some of my favorite things to just sit and look at because the art is just exquisite!Β 

Osiris and the Four Sons of Horus
Osiris and the Four Sons of Horus depicted on a mummiform coffin at the MET.

In this image 𓏏𓅱𓏏, we can see the god π“ŠΉ Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­ sitting in a shrine π“π“Šƒπ“…“π“‚œπ“‰. If you look closely, the pillars that are holding up the shrine π“π“Šƒπ“…“π“‚œπ“‰ are actually β€œDjed Pillars π“Š½π“Š½π“Š½β€ which is significant because not only does β€œDjed π“Š½β€ mean β€œstability” in Middle Egyptian, but the Djed Pillar is also thought to represent the spine of Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­!

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

While Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­ is not explicitly labeled with his name π“‚‹π“ˆ– in hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ, we know it’s him for a couple of reasons! He is depicted holding the crook π“‹Ύ and flail π“Œ…, which is very typical! In the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ thought, we can see the title β€œLord of Eternity π“ŽŸπ“Ž›π“‡³π“Ž›β€ which is always associated with Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­! It’s basically his nickname!

π“ŽŸ – Lord 

π“Ž›π“‡³π“Ž› – Eternity

In front 𓏃 of Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­ on the table, we can see the Four Sons of Horus! Not only are they usually shown together like this, but each one of them is labeled with their name π“‚‹π“ˆ–! However, due to spacing, the names π“‚‹π“ˆ–π“¦ are a little abbreviated/shortened from their usual forms! 

Let’s start reading from the right since that’s the way the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ in this section point: 

𓇋𓐝𓋴𓍿 – Imseti (not shortened)

π“Ž›π“π“‘- Hapi (π“Ž›π“‘π“Šͺπ“‡Œ) 

𓇼𓅐𓆑 – Duamutef (𓇼𓅐𓏏𓆑)

π“π“Œ’ – Qebehsenuef (π“π“Œ’π“Œ’π“Œ’π“†‘)

Duamutef 𓇼𓅐𓏏𓆑 and Qebehsenuef π“π“Œ’π“Œ’π“Œ’π“†‘ seem to be switched because Duamutef’s 𓇼𓅐𓏏𓆑 name π“‚‹π“ˆ– appears before Qebehsenuef’s π“π“Œ’π“Œ’π“Œ’π“†‘ in the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ but after him in the lineup! 

This is my personal photograph and original text. DO NOT repost without permission.

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Reading Hieroglyphs

“Eternity” in Hieroglyphs (Part 2)

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

Yesterday 𓋴𓆑𓇳 we looked at one word for β€œEternity π“Ž›π“‡³π“Ž›β€ and today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³ we are going to look at the other word for β€œEternity – 𓆖.”

β€œTime” is such a complex concept; in our modern view, time is linear with the past at one end and the future at the other end. The present time is viewed as in between the past and future. In ancient Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–, time was viewed as both linear and cyclical. 

Here’s how β€œeternity” was expressed in hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ: 

𓆖 – Eternity (linear)

π“Ž›π“‡³π“Ž› – Eternity (cyclical)

Eternity in Hieroglyphs
Eternity in Hieroglyphs from a raised relief at the MET

Linear eternity, represented by 𓆖, is the concept which represents that all of the things that came about at the time of creation (sky π“Šͺ𓏏𓇯 is above the land 𓇾𓇾, Nile π“‡‹π“π“‚‹π“…±π“ˆ—π“ˆ˜π“ˆ‡π“Ί flowing South 𓇔𓅱𓏏 to North π“Ž”π“, sun 𓇳𓏺 rising in the East 𓋁𓃀𓏏𓏭 and setting in the West π“‹€π“π“π“ˆŠ, etc) would continue on as is for all π“ŽŸ eternity 𓆖. Cyclical Eternity π“Ž›π“‡³π“Ž›, showed that all of the natural cycles like birth and death, the yearly seasons, would continue on for all π“ŽŸ eternity π“Ž›π“‡³π“Ž›. 

Let’s break down the symbols for Eternity 𓆖 (pronounced like β€œαΈt”):

The β€œcobra 𓆓” is a phonogram, which means that it is a symbol that represents sounds, and is usually part of a larger word! The cobra 𓆓 is a uniliteral sign, so it represents just one consonant. It represents the sound β€œαΈβ€ which would almost sound like a β€œj” when pronounced.

The β€œflat loaf of bread 𓏏” is a uniliteral phonogram used to represent the sound β€œt.” It also functions as the ideogram for the word β€œbread 𓏏𓏺.”

The β€œstrip of land 𓇿/𓇾” symbols can both be used to write β€œEternity 𓆖.” While both symbols have different meaning when not used as a determinative, in the case of β€œEternity 𓆖” it is used as one! β€œπ“‡Ύβ€ pronounced like β€œtah/t3” is an ideogram for land, earth and world and is a determining for β€œEternity 𓆖.”  β€œπ“‡Ώβ€ is also a determinative for β€œEternity 𓆖” but also for desert and foreign land. It’s an ideogram for β€œisland” and would be pronounced like β€œjw.”

You can read Part 1 of this post here!

This is my personal photograph and original text. DO NOT repost without permission.

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Reading Hieroglyphs

“Eternity” in Hieroglyphs (Part 1)

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

Today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³ we are going to look at the word for β€œEternity – π“Ž›π“‡³π“Ž›β€ in hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! Eternity π“Ž›π“‡³π“Ž› was a concept central to ancient Egyptian religion and culture. Did you know that the ancient Egyptians π“†Žπ“π“€€π“π“ͺ actually invented the concept of eternity π“Ž›π“‡³π“Ž›/infinity?

This way to write β€œeternity π“Ž›π“‡³π“Ž›β€ is technically a measure of cyclical time. The proper way to write the word for eternity would actually be β€œπ“ˆ–π“…˜π“Ž›π“Ž›π“‡³β€ or β€œπ“Ž›π“Ž›π“‡³,” with the sun disc acting as the determinative. This means that the sun disc symbol would not be pronounced! However, π“Ž›π“‡³π“Ž› is more aesthetically pleasing, so that is how the word is written in most inscriptions π“Ÿπ“›π“₯. Technically, π“Ž›π“‡³π“Ž› would be pronounced like β€œnαΈ₯αΈ₯” and is actually an abbreviation of β€œπ“ˆ–π“…˜π“Ž›π“Ž›π“‡³ / π“Ž›π“Ž›π“‡³.”

"Eternity" in Hieroglyphs
“Eternity” in Hieroglyphs. This relief is from the Chapel of Seti I and is on display at the MET.

There are two 𓏻 very common ways to write β€œEternity” – π“Ž›π“‡³π“Ž› and 𓆖. The words for eternity (𓆖 & π“Ž›π“‡³π“Ž›) appear frequently in so many inscriptions π“Ÿπ“›π“₯ – if you can recognize the words, you will be able to pick them out in any museum you visit! They do have slightly different meanings that I will highlight in a future post! Languages are so cool – the two words can mean the same thing when translated into English, but can be different in Middle Egyptian!

Let’s take a closer look at the hieroglyphic symbols! 

The β€œwick π“Ž›β€ symbol is a uniliteral phonogram which means that it only represents one sound. The sound that it represents is β€œαΈ₯.” 

The β€œsun disc 𓇳” symbol is usually seen as an ideogram for β€œRa.” The symbol β€œπ“‡³ – sun” can also be a determinative for sun, day, and time.

You can read Part 2 of this post here!

This is my personal photograph and original text. DO NOT repost without permission.

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Reading Hieroglyphs Video

Happiness and Joy in Hieroglyphs – Video

𓄫𓏏𓄣 – β€œBe Happy, β€œHappiness,” β€œJoy,” – or in Middle Egyptian, β€œWide Heart.” 

I LOVE how the actual Middle Egyptian version of the word is β€œWide Heart 𓄫𓏏𓄣” – I think it carries so much meaning in such a little phrase. β€œAncient Egypt makes my heart wide” sounds cooler than β€œAncient Egypt brings me joy/happiness” – in my opinion at least!

I always love seeing Happiness/Joy 𓄫𓏏𓄣 written on objects because that is exactly how I felt when I was in a museum and looking at Egyptian artifacts with my Nonno. The only emotion I could feel at the time was joy 𓄫𓏏𓄣 and I was so lucky. I would do anything to go to a museum with my Nonno and experience those emotions again. While I do feel immense joy 𓄫𓏏𓄣 in museums now, there’s always a sadness to it as well because I truly miss my Nonno more than anything.

Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! Here are some common variants for β€œHappiness,” and β€œJoy”:

π“„«π“„£

𓄫𓄣𓏏

𓄫𓏏𓄣𓏺

𓄫𓄣𓏺

Happiness and Joy in Hieroglyphs
Here is a closeup of the word for Happiness and Joy in Hieroglyphs that I highlight in the video!

This is my video and original text. DO NOT repost without permission.

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Reading Hieroglyphs

Stela of Semin

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

Today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³ we are going to look at the funerary stela π“Ž—π“…±π“†“π“‰Έ of a bowman π“Œ”π“π“ΊΒ  named Semin! This limestone π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“Œ‰ stela π“Ž—π“…±π“†“π“‰Έ depicts Semin holding a bow π“Œ”π“Ί in one hand and arrows in the other. This stela π“Ž—π“…±π“†“π“‰Έ has hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ on the top and right sides.

This stela π“Ž—π“…±π“†“π“‰Έ is dated to the 11th Dynasty (First Intermediate Period c. 2120–2051 B.C.E.).Β 

Stela of Semin
The Stela of Semin at the Metropolitan Museum of Art

We are going to start reading the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ from the top left, and then continue reading down the column on the right. Below is the full inscription π“Ž˜π“…±π“Ž–:

Top: π“‰“π“†Όπ“π“Šπ“†Όπ“ƒΎπ“…Ώπ“±π“†Όπ“‹²π“π“†Όπ“π“π“Š΅π“ŽŸπ“π“„€π“†‘π“‚‹

Right: π“π“ƒ€π“ˆ–π“„ͺπ“π“…±π“π“‚‹π“ŠΉπ“‰Όπ“ŽŸπ“Šͺ𓏏𓇯 π“Šƒ_π“Šͺπ“€— π“‡‹π“ˆŽπ“‚‹π“›π“Š€π“…±

Let’s break it down:

𓉓 – A Voice Offering 

π“†Όπ“π“Š – A thousand bread and beer 

𓆼𓃾𓅿𓍱 – A thousand ox and fowl and alabaster

𓆼𓋲𓏏 – A thousand linen 

𓆼 – A thousand 

π“π“π“Š΅π“ŽŸπ“ – Everything 

𓄀𓆑𓂋 – Good 

𓏏𓃀 – Pure (β€œWab” is replaced by a weird symbol here – this is the more common one: 𓃂)

π“ˆ– – For

π“„ͺ𓐍𓅱 – Venerated One

𓐍𓂋 – Before

π“ŠΉπ“‰Ό – Great God

π“ŽŸ – Lord

π“Šͺ𓏏𓇯 – Heaven/Sky

π“Šƒ_π“Šͺπ“€— – Semin (I can’t read the second symbol)

π“‡‹π“ˆŽπ“‚‹π“›- Excellent

π“Š€π“…± – True of Voice

All π“ŽŸ together π“ˆ–π“Š—, the full translation is: β€œA Voice OfferingΒ  of a thousand bread and beer, a thousand ox and fowl and alabaster, a thousand linen, a thousand of everything good and pure for the venerated one before the great god, lord of heaven, Semin the excellent, true of voice.” 

It’s interesting that this stela π“Ž—π“…±π“†“π“‰Έ doesn’t start with the first part of the Offering Formula, “An Offering the King Gives… π“‡“π“π“Š΅π“™,” and it may be due to spacing issues, as there was not much space available for the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ on this stela π“Ž—π“…±π“†“π“‰Έ. The spacing issues are indicated by the arrangement of the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ.

This is my personal photograph and original text. DO NOT repost without permission.

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Reading Hieroglyphs

The Offering Formula

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

Today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³ we are going to look at one of the most common phrases you will encounter – The Offering Formula! The Offering Formula is found on all different types of funerary objects π“ˆŽπ“‚‹π“‹΄π“π“π“Š­ such as stelae π“Ž—π“…±π“†“π“‰Έπ“ͺ, sarcophagi π“ŽŸπ“‹Ήπ“ˆ–π“π“Š­π“¦, statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ, and false doors.

The purpose of the Offering Formula was to allow the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱 to partake in and accept offerings π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ𓏏𓏔𓏦. These offerings could be either the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱 making an offering to a god π“ŠΉ (usually Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­ or Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣) or the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱 accepting offerings π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ𓏏𓏔𓏦 directly from family members.Β 

The Offering Formula
The opening phrase of the Offering Formula, “An Offering the King Gives…” in hieroglyphs on a Middle Kingdom sarcophagus at the MET.

Here is the beginning phrase of the Offering Formula: π“‡“π“π“Š΅π“™. This translates to β€œAn Offering the King Gives…”

𓇓 – King 

π“π“Š΅ – Offering (shortened version of π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ𓏏𓏔𓏦)

𓏙 – Gives

Let’s break down each of the hieroglyphic symbols! 

The β€œSedge 𓇓” symbol functions as a biliteral phonogram and is associated with the sound β€œsw.” Most commonly, the symbol is used as an ideogram for the word β€œKing,” which is associated with the sound β€œnswt.”

The β€œflat loaf of bread 𓏏” is a uniliteral phonogram used to represent the sound β€œt.” It also functions as the ideogram for the word β€œbread 𓏏𓏺” and can be used to make words feminine when placed at the end of the word! 

The β€œbread loaf on a mat π“Š΅β€ symbol is a triliteral phonogram for the sound β€œαΈ₯tp” and is also an ideogram for β€œoffering slab” which is also associated with the sound β€œαΈ₯tp.”

The β€œbread mold 𓏙” symbol is functions as a phonogram for β€œd” or β€œαΈj” and also as β€œrdj” in the word for β€œgive.” 

This is my personal photograph and original text. DO NOT repost without permission. 

Categories
Egyptian Artifacts

Amphora with an Ibex Head

This amphora π“ π“ˆ–π“‡‹π“‹ with an ibex π“ˆ–π“„«π“ƒ΅ head is so beautiful 𓄀𓆑𓂋! An amphora π“ π“ˆ–π“‡‹π“‹ is a special type of pottery π“ π“ˆ–π“‡‹π“‹ that has a pointed bottom and two 𓏻 handles that was used for the storage and transport of various things in the ancient world! While Greek amphoras π“ π“ˆ–π“‡‹π“‹π“ͺ are the most recognizable, the ancient Egyptians π“†Žπ“π“€€π“π“ͺ had their own style too!

Amphora with an Ibex Head
Amphora with an Ibex Head at the MET

Ancient Egyptian amphoras π“ π“ˆ–π“‡‹π“‹π“ͺ, such as this one found at Malqata, were usually made of red π“‚§π“ˆ™π“‚‹π“…Ÿ clay π“Šͺπ“ˆ–π“‹΄π“ˆ‡ and then covered with a cream colored coat. They were then painted π“žπ“œ with blue 𓇋𓁹𓏏𓄿𓏸π“₯, red π“‚§π“ˆ™π“‚‹π“…Ÿ, or black π“†Žπ“…“ paint 𓇨𓂋𓅱𓏭𓏸𓏦. This vase π“ π“ˆ–π“‡‹π“‹ has some pretty 𓄀𓆑𓂋 lotus flowers 𓆸𓆸𓆸 and other types of flowers 𓆼𓅱𓆰𓏦 painted π“žπ“œ on it!!

Amphora with an Ibex Head
A closeup of the Ibex head on the amphora at the MET

The best part about this vase π“ π“ˆ–π“‡‹π“‹ in my opinion is the ibex π“ˆ–π“„«π“ƒ΅ head that is on it! The ibex π“ˆ–π“„«π“ƒ΅ head was not actually found attached to the amphora π“ π“ˆ–π“‡‹π“‹, but it was found nearby and reattached. You can actually see where it was reattached by the line going across its neck! Also, take a look at how the head of the ibex π“ˆ–π“„«π“ƒ΅ is in relation to the body of the animal – the head has a 3D effect which is just too cool! The body of the ibex π“ˆ–π“„«π“ƒ΅ is painted on the vase π“ π“ˆ–π“‡‹π“‹, while the head/neck of the ibex π“ˆ–π“„«π“ƒ΅ kind of β€œjump off” the vase π“ π“ˆ–π“‡‹π“‹! So creative!

While historians will refer to this type of pottery as an β€œamphora,” in Middle Egyptian, the standard word β€œmni π“ π“ˆ–π“‡‹π“‹β€ was used which basically just means pot or pottery! 

This piece is dated to the reign of Amenhotep III π“‡³π“§π“Ž  (18th Dynasty) and was found at his palace π“‚π“Ž›π“π“‰₯𓉐 in Malqata. 

This is my personal photograph and original text. DO NOT repost without permission.