Pectoral of Tutankhamun

Pectoral of Tutankhamun:

1- This is a Pectoral, or chest ornament, which was worn by both men and women. It was discovered intact in the tomb of Tutankhamun. The piece depicts Scarab Beetles or Khepri, pushing the sun.

Khepri was believed to be a Sun god by the ancient Egyptians, and was represented as a scarab beetle. The jewel is also decorated with inlaid lotus blossoms, which hang at the bottom.

2- Winged Scarab Pectoral of Tutankhamun:

Winged Scarab Pectoral of Tutankhamun, is filled with symbolism, made with semi-precious stones (carnelian, lapis lazuli, glass,) and with a lotus blossom fringe.

The symbols of the Ankh and the Eye of Horus (Udjat) are among the most used in ancient Egyptian Art.

3- Golden pendant of Tutankhamun: 

This pendant made with a method called Cloisonné and inlaid with semiprecious stones and colored glass. It is full of symbols and hieroglyphs.

The central element of the composition is a winged scarab with a yellow stone of disputed origin which  grasps on one side a lotus and on the other a papyrus flower, flanked by two uraei (cobras.).

A gold frame outlines the main composition and supports pendants of lotus flowers, papyrus, and poppy seed heads.  

A slim solar boat rests upon the front feet of the scarab and carries the Udjat eye of Horus, flanked by two cobras. The Udjat eye is surmounted by a lunar crescent of gold and a silver disk with images of the gods, Thoth and Re-Horakhty, crowning the central figure of the king. 

4- Tutankhamun’s Necklace with a Pectoral in the Form of a Solar Boat:

This pectoral is centered on a scarab of lapis lazuli, that symbolizes the god, Khepri.  

Khepri represents the sun on the horizon of the new day. The scarab holds a solar disc of carnelian surrounded by a gold rim. The beetle is flanked by two baboons with lunar symbols on their heads.  

This item was discovered inside an inlaid box of ebony and ivory with an inscription that read: "gold jewelry for the funerary procession from the bedchamber of Nebkheperure.” This was Tutankhamun’s coronation name. 

5- Tutankhamun’s Necklace of the Sun on the Eastern Horizon:

The artist who made this Pectoral used the hieroglyphic sign for 'horizon' (akhet), which represents the sun rising between two mountains, with the scarab ( the sun-god) pushing the sun in front of it He has also added uraei (cobras) with pendent 'life' signs (ankh) to the 'horizon' hieroglyph, showing that the rising sun is bringing life to Upper and Lower Egypt.

On the symbol for the sun-god's gold barque (boat) are two uraei, one in the prow and the other in the stern; on their heads are disk of the sun and their tails are  replaced by three amulets symbolizing 'goodness' (nefer), 'life' (ankh) and 'stability' (djed). 

The straps of the pectoral are made of separate inlaid gold plaques held together at the back and the sides by rows of small gold, carnelian and glass beads. The plaques use the same elements as those in the pendant, except that the sun's disk is substituted for the sign of the horizon, and  the hieroglyphic sign for 'festival' is placed beneath the scarab. 

6- Gold cuff bracelet of Tutankhamun:

This gold cuff bracelet is composed of two semicircles joined together by a hinge on one side and a clasp on the other.  

The central plaque bears a cloisonné scarab inlaid with lapis lazuli. The scarab, symbol of the morning sun, was the most popular motif used in jewelry. The bracelet itself is also inlaid with carnelian, lapis lazuli, turquoise, quartz, and colored glass. 

7- A Pectoral of Tutankhamun with Eye of the god Horus:

A Pectoral of Tutankhamun, dominated by the Eye of the god, Horus (the Udjat).

Tutankhamen Treasures (Part 1)
Tutankhamen Treasures (Part 2)
Tutankhamen Treasures (Part 3)
Tutankhamen Treasures (Part 4)
Tutankhamen Treasures (Part 5)
Tutankhamen Treasures (Part 6)

Pectoral of Senusret II

Pectoral of Senusret II from the tomb of Sit-Hathor Yunet, daughter of Senusret II, found at El Lahun. This cloisonné pectoral is inlaid with 372 carefully cut pieces of semiprecious stones.

Hieroglyphic signs make up the design, which read: "The god of the rising sun grants life and dominion over all that the sun encircles for 1,100,000 years (eternity) to King Khakheperre [Senusret II]." Zigzag lines on the base bar represent the primordial waters out of which the primeval hill emerged. Each of the falcons, symbols of the sun god, clasps a circular hieroglyph meaning "encircled," thus declaring the solar deity's supreme power over the universe. The same hieroglyph, elongated to form a cartouche, encircles the throne name of Senusret II, Khakheperre.

Flanking the king's name are two ankh hieroglyphs (meaning "life") suspended from cobras whose tails are wound around the sun disk on the falcons' heads. These snakes represent Nekhbet and Udjo, the traditional protector goddesses of the king. Supporting the royal cartouche is the kneeling god Heh clutching two palm ribs symbolizing "millions of years.

Sculptures of Sensuret III

     Some of the finest examples of sculpture during the Middle Kingdom were at the height of the empire under Pharaoh Senusret III. Senusret III is known for his strikingly somber sculptures. Senusret III is considered to be perhaps the most powerful Egyptian ruler of the dynasty, and led the kingdom to an era of peace and prosperity.

     Senusret III is known for his strikingly somber sculptures in which he appears careworn and grave. While many statues portray him as a vigorous young man, others deviate from this standard and illustrate him as mature and aging. This is often interpreted as a portrayal of the burden of power and kingship. Another important innovation in sculpture during the Middle Kingdom was the block statue, which consisted of a man squatting with his knees drawn up to his chest.

     During the Middle Kingdom, relief and portrait sculpture captured subtle, individual details that reached new heights of technical perfection. Some of the finest examples of sculpture during this time was at the height of the empire under Pharaoh Senusret III.

     Khakhaure Senusret III (also written as Senwosret III or Sesostris III) ruled from 1878 BC to 1839 BC, and was the fifth monarch of the Twelfth Dynasty of the Middle Kingdom. His military campaigns gave rise to an era of peace and economic prosperity that not only reduced the power of regional rulers, but also led to a revival in craftwork, trade, and urban development in the Egyptian kingdom. One of the few kings who were deified and honored with a cult during their own lifetime, he is considered to be perhaps the most powerful Egyptian ruler of the dynasty.

     Aside from his accomplishments in architecture and war, Senusret III is known for his strikingly somber sculptures in which he appears careworn and grave. Deviating from the standard way of representing kings, Senusret III and his successor Amenemhat III had themselves portrayed as mature, aging men. This is often interpreted as a portrayal of the burden of power and kingship. That the change in representation was indeed ideological and should not be interpreted as the portrayal of an aging king is shown by the fact that in one single relief, Senusret III was represented as a vigorous young man, following the centuries old tradition, and as a mature aging king.

     Another important innovation in sculpture that occurred during the Middle Kingdom was the block statue, which would continue to be popular through to the Ptolemaic age almost 2,000 years later. Block statues consist of a man squatting with his knees drawn up to his chest and his arms folded on top of his knees. Often, these men are wearing a wide cloak that reduces the body of the figure to a simple block-like shape; in some cases the cloak covers the feet completely, and in others the feet are left uncovered. The head of the sculpture contains the most detail.