Sarcophagus of Sepi (12th Dyn.)

Sarcophagus of Sepi (12th Dyn.)

This is one of the most beautiful paintings and sarcophagi of the members of the Middle Kingdom. This is done to Sepi General of the fifteenth nome of Upper Egypt.

The outer faces of the sarcophagus are decorated with hieroglyphics painted wood representing the names, titles and make an offer.

Udjat both eyes are located at the top of the door which is represented by false side, for which the mask anthropoid sarcophagus is activated.

The interior is completely painted and includes a number of spells in cursive hieroglyphs taken by the Coffin Texts and the Book of the two streets that contained a map of the underworld.


Dimensions: Height 70 cm Width 65 cm

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wooden models of Meketre

wooden models of Meketre

Wooden statue of a servant carrying a chicken and balancing a basket on her head. It is finely carved and painted, and is one of the best examples of this type.

This large slender woman was discovered in a secret chamber in the tomb of Meketrê. Looking at this pretty picture, you can see the difference between work done in a wood and stone. Similar conventions guide the artist, but more flexible and tolerant of wood allows the sculptor to release the entire body, including the arts, and create what is truly a piece of sculpture in the round.

Probably the two most important types of models offering bearers and boats. Carriers have offered some of the highest figures, and from a few early Egyptian times. They tend to be female, although offering bearers males are also encountered. Females usually carry food, while the male variety tend to wear religious items. The first offering bearers are simple ceramic figurines, but later they were often made with great art, competing with the statues of the tomb owner himself. This is probably an indication of the importance the Egyptians placed on this particular variety of models, believing that their life after death depended on these workers symbolic.

The figure holds a live duck wings in one hand and balancing a basket of food in the head with the other. In rural areas Egyptians still carry heavy loads on their heads, and people in many parts of the world.

This figure is greater than other products because it embodies a set Meketrê Heritage determined to be the source that would provide offerings for his funerary cult indefinitely. Size, broad collar, bracelets, anklets, and dress to indicate its importance. The grounds of her dress represent small feathers, and the vertical stripes of the skirt, long wing feathers. Goddesses are often depicted in similar costumes. Here the dress is probably referring to Isis and Nephthys, both protected the dead in the afterlife. Interestingly, for the supply of the action is important, women can travel offers - a pose usually reserved for men. Figure Cairo companion is wearing a suit made on the remuneration of pearls.



Since the statue is made of wood, must have been cut in the approximately cylindrical shape of a tree trunk, but the square base and the facade, the installation conforms to the balanced style of stone carving right. Unlike the case of stone carving, however, the wooden figures in space between the body and limbs is open, creating a more realistic look. The colors and patterns, and large eyes and slender, subtly naturalistic form, are arrested. The gray-green, in particular, but also the wig on his head, perhaps was originally blue, hair color gods. Weapons, is duck base, and the trash were made separately and then attached to the body.

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Nubian Archers

Nubian Archers

Provincial governors used to recruit troops of soldiers in time of trouble. Thus, we find models of different companies of soldiers accompanying Mesehti, Prince of Assiut, in his grave. This group consists of forty Nubian archers in their finest attire and armor with bows and arrows. The sculptor made ​​use of changes in facial expressions and colorful costumes, in contrast to their dark bodies, to give a realistic effect.

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Sarcophagus of Queen Kawit

Sarcophagus of Queen Kawit

The sarcophagus of Queen Kawit, who was the wife of King Mentuhotep Two, was one of the most significant in terms of sculpture in bas-relief in the court of Thebes.

The outer faces of this limestone sarcophagus are decorated with scenes of everyday life, such as the makeup of the queen. Other scenes depict offerings and beyond.

Instead of the head of Queen Kawit, there is a palace facade with central doors decorated with the Eye of Horus to allow the dead to communicate with the living world.

The elongated bodies and coarse facial features reflect the Theban ideal of feminine beauty.


Dimensions: height 119 cm Length 262 cm Width 119 cm

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The Servant Statues

The Servant Statues

nobles of ancient Egypt filled their tombs with statues of their employees to work for them in the afterlife. Used to work instead of nobles so that the nobles could enjoy the afterlife.

The tomb of Pepi-Niankh, found at Meir, contained a large number of statues representing the male and female employees who perform various tasks such as preparing meals, bread, roast chicken, or beer.

The most striking of these statues has a representative who is the servant carrying sacks of his master.

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Tomb of Ti

Tomb of Ti

The most preserved mastaba of Ti is located at the north end of the necropolis of Saqqara, about 300 m north of Club philosopher "of the. He retains the title of "Supervisor of sun-temples of Sahura, and Neferirkare Niuserre 'Superintendent' pyramids of Niuserre ', and, making him an officer of the State during the dynasty V.

The tomb was discovered by Auguste Mariette in 1865 and has since been restored and rebuilt by the Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities, to be known as probably the most richly decorated in Old Kingdom cemeteries throughout mastaba. The tomb, not only has superb reliefs, but the variety of subjects, it is very interesting.

Like other tombs of this period, the entrance was through a porch on the north side. This leads to a courtyard with columns, with twelve square pillars and a tree burial (not entered) in the center where you sarcophagus was found empty. Unfortunately it is not just decorating the court today, but the north-east there is an opening in the first serdab (statue room). Surveys were in the yard you include in the agricultural scenes and scenes of everyday life. Southwest corner of the courtyard is a false door stele of his son, Demedji.

A narrow corridor leads to two bedrooms and a decorated false door of the wife of Ti, Neferhetpes, who was a priestess of Hathor and Neith, you can see on the right side of the passage. Further right is a long narrow room that is decorated with bas-colored food preparation, including food and beer, and ceramic production, and recording activities scribes.

The second and larger of the two rooms down the hall, a dining offers, with a roof supported by two square columns and has the most beautiful reliefs of the tomb. Above the door there are musicians and dancers, while on the left (east) wall of the tomb owner looks at agriculture and there are scenes of boat building.

The south wall has three openings through which the statue restored serdab are available. The serdab now holds a replica of the original life size statue (Cairo Museum) - You would communicate with the world of the living witnesses of his ritual offerings through these openings. The wall between the holes of espionage depicts scenes of inspection you Viticulture and catch birds. There are also many interesting findings that show various industries, including carpentry, sculpture and metalwork.

The west wall has two false doors, one of which has an alabaster table of offerings in front of her. This stele is at the end of Ti north wall has a total of four images representing the two former deceased.

The main part of the north wall of the delivery room is dominated by a beautiful relief of Ti standing on a papyrus boat presiding over a hippopotamus hunt. Papyrus is behind the boat in a swamp full of different kinds of fish, hippopotomi and a crocodile. You are represented with a dwarf and pets and there are scenes of industries such as collection of papyrus swamps and fishing.

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Statue of Ranefer

Statue of Ranefer

A statue of a young Ranefer handsome, athletic and muscular, wearing a loincloth tied at the waist and a simple short wig. And 'represented in the traditional pose, advancing with the left leg forward, hands at his side holding two cylinders, with a straight face and a look that looks into the distance beyond earthly life.

This magnificent statue was found with another statue for him, almost identical, two niches in the chapel at his tomb at Saqqara. And it shows in the color of youth and the other in old age.

Ranefer was the high priest of Ptah at Memphis, and Soker, was also responsible for supervising the artists and artisans of the royal workshops.


Dimensions: height 178 cm


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Statue of a Seated male Figure

Statue of a Seated male Figure

This is very good, although the statue of a man sitting anonymously. Note that a hand is raised in a fist, while the other set open. The head is a bit 'too big for the body.

Material: painted limestone
Dimensions: Height: 61 cm
Location: Saqqara
Excavation: Antiquities Service Excavations of 1893
Period: The beginning of the fifth dynasty (Middle of 25 century BC)

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The Seated Scribe

The Seated Scribe

The position of scribe was one of the most coveted roles in Egypt.
Many owners of large grave, since the time of Cheops to the late period, were portrayed as scribes, reading or writing.

This scribe wears a short wig, short flared white loincloth held in place by a belt. A papyrus on his lap. Taking the rest of the roll in his left hand, which is to write with a quill pen in his right hand.


Dimensions: Height 51 cm Width 41 cm

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Statue of Sheikh el-Balad Representing Ka-aper

Statue of Sheikh el-Balad Representing Ka-aper

Sheikh el-Balad, Arabic title for the village chief, was the name given to this wooden statue discovered by the workmen of Auguste Mariette, the French archaeologist, because it looked like their village chief.

The statue of Ka-aper, the player head priest, the task of reciting prayers for the dead in the temples and funerary chapels. This is one of the masterpieces of sculpture's private kingdom.

The arms were modeled separately and attached to the body, a technique often used in wood sculpture.

A stick of wood leaning against the left arm, consisting of two pieces of wood together.

The eyes are inlaid, the circle is made of copper and quartz is opaque white, while the cornea is made of rock crystal.
Dimensions: height 112 cm

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The Dwarf Seneb And His Family

     The Dwarf Seneb And His Family

Dwarfs in ancient Egypt commanded respect (article). They appear in Egyptian art, from pre-dynastic period and the protection of the god Bes was a dwarf. Often assumed the role of leaders, but the example shows that they can enjoy Seneb guidance counselors as well.

Seneb, a senior official, was head of textile jobs, the real under King Pepi II of Dynasty 6. It was also a priest in the funerary cults of the Fourth Dynasty King Khufu and Jedefre, for which Seneb called his children (kings cartridges are visible in the photo, part of children's names). Seneb was buried in a place of honor, a mastaba near the pyramid of Cheops in Giza.

His poignant family portrait shows Seneb with his wife, Princess Sentyotes, and their young son and daughter. The small (13 "tall) statue is unique in composition and psychology, was originally placed in the grave." Serdab "- a niche in the wall completely closed with two small openings, which allowed the statue to see the rituals that take place in his name for the statue of composition is a cube, which is the form of the niche in which it was placed ..

Seneb happiness in his family, should continue

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Furniture of Queen Hetepheres

Furniture of Queen Hetepheres

Signs and cemeteries of Queen Hetep, the wife of Sneferu and the mother of Khufu, was found intact in his tomb on the Giza plateau improvised from a museum in 1925 at Harvard, Boston expedition led by Egyptologist George Reisner. According to the inscriptions died while his son was on the throne.
Its exquisite wood furniture, including a portable canopy, was partially covered with gold leaf. Funerary objects including pots, vases of gold, a box containing eight small alabaster vases filled with toilet oils and Kohl, gold manicure tools, bracelets, anklets and various, and the four canopic jars.

The canopic jars were placed in a box made from a block of translucent alabaster and divided into four squares. Each compartment contains a mass composed of internal organs-the liver, lungs, intestines and stomach, removed during the mummification process and immersed in a weak solution of soda. These vessels and chest are the oldest ever found in ancient Egypt.

Portable Canopy The queen was covered with gold leaf and was equipped with a curtain for privacy and protection against insects and cold. The curtain was kept in a box with inlaid gold cartridge with her husband Snefru. The furniture consisted of two chairs and a bed frame with headboard, covered in gold leaf and probably used during the life of the queen. The panel on the footboard of the bed was inlaid with a blue and white floral design.

The wood of the sedan was badly damaged and had to be replaced. The end brings Pali palmiforme with capitals and layers of chair cover with gold edges and boundaries. An ebony horizontal panel is inscribed in gold with the name of the queen and the title "Mother of the King of Upper and Lower Egypt," follower of Horus, who takes care of business in the harem, whose every word is for you, daughter of the god, his loins, Hetep ". QueenHetepheres name means" satisfied, it is his face. "

It seems that his funeral, nearly three small pyramids beside the Great Pyramid of his son was quickly adopted after its original grave was violated. Probably he was first buried next to her husband pyramids at Dahshur, but its effects have been taken to his grave after the funeral Giza flight. Arrangement of the contents of the tomb was the reserve rule, with personal items to be placed within the first and last the coffin. However, the sarcophagus, although carefully buried, has been shown to be empty and the body of the Queen has never been found.

He had probably been stolen, and the tombs of the original thieves for valuables wrapped in mummy or associations during his journey from Giza to Dahshur. Anyway, no one dared tell him that the king's son, who knew first at the tomb had been disturbed, but believed to be buried safely.

The tomb has a shaft 99 feet deep ending in a burial chamber. No superstructure was added so that would remain completely hidden from the eyes of tombaroli future.

They look for many years to restore this collection, which now gives us a clear idea of ​​the quality and type of furniture used by the royal family of the fourth dynasty. A set of real mobile equally impressive is represented on wall reliefs of the tomb of Queen Meresankh III, even at Giza.

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Statue of Rahotep and Nofret

Statue of Rahotep and Nofret

Rahotep could have been a son of King Senefru and, therefore, a brother of King Cheops. He held the title of high priest of Re at Heliopolis, army general and Chief of Construction.
Seen here wearing a skirt, short hair, a mustache, and a heart-shaped amulet around his neck.
Rahotep wife, Nofret, is described as "one to the king." She is seen wearing a wig of shoulder length, adorned with a wreath and a large collar. Her natural hair can be seen under the wig.
We recognize the distinction in the skin color of the two statues: reddish brown to man and washing cream for women. It was an artistic convention followed throughout ancient Egyptian history. The colors are well preserved and faces are realistic expressions.
The torchlight reflecting on the inlaid eyes with these two statues of workers caused first considered to be afraid.

Dimensions: Height 121 cm Length 69 cm Width 51 cm

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Panel of Geese at Meidum

Panel of Geese at Meidum

This part of a mural found in the mastaba of Nefermaat and his wife, Itet to Meidum where he decorated the bottom of a wall of the corridor leading to the chapel Itet.
The colors used here is derived from natural materials: white limestone, red hematite, malachite green. These materials were mixed with egg white.
The panel shows three pairs of geese eat grass. Three of them are turning to the right, while others have turned to the left in a symmetrical arrangement.
The artist cleverly closed the scene on both sides with two geese look upside down to collect the wheat grass.

Dimensions: Height 27 cm Length 180 cm Width 172 cm

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reliefs from the tomb of Nefermaat and Atet

reliefs from the tomb of Nefermaat and Atet

The mastaba of Nefer-Maat, who was a son of King Senefru and a brother of Khufu, contained beautiful mural representations of deep relief, filled with colored paste.
This new technique was invented by Nefer-Maat, but was never used again because the inlays pasta, cracked and finally fell to the ground. These representations show a hunting scene in the desert on the one hand, and the work of other migratory birds and agriculture. The chapel of his wife in the same grave ATET was the famous painting "Meidum Geese" scene that shows three pairs of geese feeding in the grass, however wonderful colored minerals.

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statuette of hetepdief

statuette of hetepdief

Hetepdief not really know who he was, although it could have been a priest devoted to the first three kings of the Second Dynasty. Engraved on his right shoulder are names and Hetepsekhemwy Ninetjer Raneb.

kneeling position with hands on knees.
Hetepdief wearing a short wig with small locks and a skirt. His name and titles are inscribed on the base of the statue, while the Horus names of the three first kings of the Second Dynasty are on his right shoulder.
These kings are Hetepsekhemwy and Ninetjer Raneb. It seems that Hetepdief served as a priest in their mortuary temples.
Dimensions: Height 39 cm Width 18 cm

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the panel of hesire

the panel of hesire

Hesy-ra (alt. Hesire, Hesira) was a doctor (perhaps the first in recorded history), the scribe who lived during the Third Dynasty of Egypt, served under Pharaoh Djoser, and was buried developed in a tomb in Saqqara. It was songs like "Leader of dentists and doctors" and "chief of the scribes of the king."

he wooden panels of Ra-Hesy are rare examples of hieroglyphics running high on the wood. The bas-relief panels are raised and have some of the oldest forms of the language of Egyptian hieroglyphs. The panels contain a hieroglyphic history, (top) and a thematic representation of Hesy-Ra in different poses.

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