Egypt-Museum.com

Canopic Shrine of Tutankhamun

Inside this imposing and elaborate gilded shrine was the alabaster chest that contained the four canopic miniature coffins.

At each side of this shrine stands an elegant statue of one of the four female divinities in charge of protecting the deceased king, their faces turned slightly to one side and their arms stretched out in a gesture of protection. These goddesses are Isis, Nephthys, Neith, and Serket.

The outer canopy of gilded wood, fixed to a sledge, consists of four square corner posts supporting a projecting cavetto cornice topped by a frieze of uraei, or rearing cobras, with solar disks. A cavetto cornice is a concave molding with a cross section that approximates a quarter circle. Scenes of the protective deities are incised in relief on the sides of the shrine.

From the Tomb of Tutankhamun (KV62), Valley of the Kings, West Thebes. Now in the Egyptian Museum, Cairo. JE 60686

2017–2020 Egypt Museum

A necklace of golden flies—a traditional reward for valor on the battlefield

Materials: Gold, silver, bronze

Current location: Luxor Museum, Luxor

Owner: Queen Ahhotep, wife of King Taa of Thebes and mother of Ahmose I

2017–2020 Egypt Museum

Four Bracelets from Tomb of King Djer

These four bracelets were discovered at Abydos in the tomb of King Djer of the First Dynasty. They were fastened onto a linen-wrapped forearm of a woman, who might have been King Djer’s queen or a member of the royal family.

The bracelets were held in place by linen bandages, which made it possible to recover them in their original order of stringing. Three of the bracelets are composed of various types of beads: gold, turquoise, lapis lazuli, and amethyst. The fourth one consists of 27 plaques representing the palace facade topped by the falcon god Horus.

...

Lapis lazuli, turquoise, amethyst and gold. Early Dynastic Period, 1st Dynasty, ca. 3150-2890 BC. Now in the Egyptian Museum, Cairo. JE 35054

2017–2020 Egypt Museum

Plaque of King Psusennes I

This plaque, or thin plate, was placed on the mummy of king Psusennes I over the incision made in the lower abdomen to remove the internal organs. The plate was intended to heal and form a scar over the incision.

...

The entire scene and the text are framed by a thin incised line with holes at the four corners allowing the plate to be attached to the mummy’s bindings.

Third Intermediate Period, 21st Dynasty, reign of Psusennes I, ca. 1047-1001 BC. Now in the Egyptian Museum, Cairo. JE 85821

2017–2020 Egypt Museum

The Second Golden Coffin of Tutankhamun

The middle coffin of the three that were originally placed one inside the other in Tutankhamun’s tomb.

It is made of compact wood, covered with sheets of gold and is inlaid with semiprecious stones and multicolored glass. It depicts the mummified figure of Osiris, lord of eternity, with his arms crossed upon his chest and holding his divine insignia, the crook and the flail. The lid of the coffin was fixed in place by little gold-headed nails of electrum, an alloy of silver and gold.

From the Tomb of Tutankhamun (KV62), Valley of the Kings, West Thebes. Now in the Egyptian Museum, Cairo. JE 60670

Photo: Sandro Vannini

2017–2020 Egypt Museum

Ba Bird Amulet of Psusennes I

This elegant, tiny amulet of beaten gold in the shape of a human-headed bird represents the Ba. It symbolizes the immortal soul, which is invoked to come back after death and “to attach itself to its corpse in the god’s domain,” according to the Book of the Dead, Spell number 89. It was charged with “assuming the form of a ‘living’ soul and not entering the place of execution,” from Spell number 85. The Ba was also charged with “opening the tomb for the soul and for the shadow, going forth by day, and controlling one’s feet,” according to Spell number 92.

...

From the Tomb of Psusennes I, NRT III, Tanis. Third Intermediate Period, 21st Dynasty, ca. 1069-945 BC. Now in the Egyptian Museum, Cairo. JE 85820

2017–2020 Egypt Museum

Gold Vase with the Royal Cartouches of Psusennes I and his Wife Henuttawy

A beautiful gold vase with carved stripes on the body reveals the fine taste and skills of the craftsmen of this period. According to the cartouches engraved on the neck of the vase, it belonged to King Psusennes I, and his wife Henuttawy. It was found in their tomb in Tanis, on the east bank of the Nile in Lower Egypt.

The tomb was discovered by the Egyptologist Pierre Montet in AD 1940; it is considered to be one of the major Egyptians discoveries because of the great importance of the precious goods found in the tomb.

These include a silver sarcophagus, jewelry, cups, jugs, and vases made from precious metals like this one. This marvelous discovery is known as “the Treasures of Tanis.”

Now in the Egyptian Museum, Cairo. JE 85896

2017–2020 Egypt Museum

Uraeus of Senusret II

The rearing cobra, known as a Uraeus, was a symbol of royalty, worn at the forehead. The Golden Uraeus is of solid gold, 6.7 cm (2.6 in), black eyes of granite, a snake head of deep ultramarine lapis lazuli, the flared cobra hood of dark carnelian inlays, and inlays of amazonite.

For mounting on the king’s crown, two loops in the rear-supporting tail of the cobra provide the attachment points.

Middle Kingdom, 12th Dynasty, reign of Senusret II, ca. 1897-1878 BC. From the Pyramid of Senusret II at Lahun. Now in the Egyptian Museum, Cairo. JE 46694

2017–2020 Egypt Museum