A Prehistoric Hippo Hunt, Naqada Bowl Reproduction of a prehistoric white cross-lined ware bowl from the Naqada period (c. 3700-3450 BC). Purchase Print About the Artwork Reproduction of a prehistoric white cross-lined ware bowl from the Naqada period (c. 3700-3450 BC). A man wearing a penis sheath and an animal’s tail can be seen holding two cords attached to harpoons now embedded in the face of the large hippo that faces him. A second smaller hippo, behind the first, shares the same fate. The zig-zag patterns represent the landscape the hunt is taking place within. Art Ref DP043 Read My Article Available to purchase as Giclée Print Object Record Object Type Pottery Materials Date Period Naqada I Findspot Unprovenanced Dimensions Current Location Metropolitan Museum of Art Object Number People Depicted Deities Depicted None Animals Depicted Hippo Themes Love ancient Egypt? So do I. Sign up to be the first to hear about new artwork, behind-the-scenes insights, special offers, and the fascinating stories behind the pieces. Email* Subscribe I want to subscribe to your mailing list.

A Festival on the River Nile, Naqada Pot Reproduction of a Naqada II period pottery jar in the Metropolitan Museum collection dating to around c. 3450 to 3330 BC. Purchase Print About the Artwork Reproduction of a Naqada II period pottery jar in the Metropolitan Museum collection dating to around c. 3450 to 3330 BC. It depicts three boats travelling in procession within the Nile Valley landscape, with desert ibex shown in close proximity to flying birds and mountains, as well as flamingos surrounded by water plants. The boats each hold a different set of figures accompanied by individual standards, acting a ceremony or ritual and being observed by groups of people on the land nearby. Art Ref DP021 Read My Article Available to purchase as Giclée Print Object Record Object Type Pottery Materials Date Period Naqada II Findspot Unprovenanced Dimensions Current Location Metropolitan Museum of Art Object Number People Depicted Deities Depicted None Animals Depicted Antelope, Ostrich, Bird Themes Love ancient Egypt? So do I. Sign up to be the first to hear about new artwork, behind-the-scenes insights, special offers, and the fascinating stories behind the pieces. Email* Subscribe I want to subscribe to your mailing list.

The Goddess Hathor and King Seti I Reproduction of a bas-relief from the tomb of Seti I, showing Hathor welcoming the dead pharaoh. Purchase Print About the Artwork This artwork is a reproduction of a beautifully detailed bas-relief from the tomb of Pharaoh Seti I (r. 1294–1279 BC), one of the most elaborately decorated royal tombs in the Valley of the Kings. The scene illustrates a sacred moment between Seti I and the goddess Hathor, who was a major protective deity associated with love, motherhood, music, and the afterlife. Hathor, revered as Lady of the West, stands on the left, depicted with her characteristic headdress, a sun disc cradled by the horns of a sacred cow, symbolising her divine connection to Ra, the sun god. She extends a menat necklace toward Seti I, a gesture rich in religious significance. The menat was not only an emblem of joy and fertility but also a symbol of protection, renewal, and divine favour. By offering it, Hathor is ensuring Seti’s safe passage into the afterlife and his continued existence in the divine realm. Seti I, positioned on the right, is distinguished by his regal attire and symbols of kingship. He wears a finely pleated linen robe with elaborate beaded embellishments, reflecting the sophistication of New Kingdom royal dress. Draped over his shoulders is a red sash, a mark of status and power. His finely detailed jewellery, crafted in gold, silver, lapis lazuli, turquoise, and carnelian, reflects the wealth and artistry of the period. The uraeus cobra, prominently displayed on his brow, signifies his divine right to rule and his connection to Wadjet, the protector of Lower Egypt. The border surrounding the scene is decorated with geometric patterns and multi-coloured bands, a hallmark of Egyptian tomb art, serving both an aesthetic and symbolic function—framing the sacred encounter while reinforcing the order and harmony of the universe. Translation “Hathor, Chief of Thebes, Mistress of the East.” “Lord of the Two Lands, Menmaatre (Eternal is the justice of Ra), Lord of Appearances, the Osiris Merenptah (Beloved of Ptah), giving life like Ra forever.” Art Ref DP001 Read My Article Available to purchase as Giclée Print Greeting Card Object Record Object Type Wall Relief Materials Date Period Dynasty 19 Findspot Tomb of Seti I (KV17), Valley of the Kings, Thebes Dimensions Current Location Musée du Louvre Object Number People Depicted Seti I Deities Depicted Hathor Animals Depicted Themes Love ancient Egypt? So do I. Sign up to be the first to hear about new artwork, behind-the-scenes insights, special offers, and the fascinating stories behind the pieces. Email* Subscribe I want to subscribe to your mailing list.

Queen Nefertari, Goddess Isis and Beetle-Headed Sun God Khepri Reproduction of a painting from the tomb of Queen Nefertari in the Valley of the Queens dating to Dynasty 19. Purchase Print About the Artwork Reproduction of a painting from the tomb of Queen Nefertari in the Valley of the Queens dating to Dynasty 19. The Great Wife of Ramesses II is being led by the hand of the goddess Isis towards Khepri, the beetle-headed sun god. Art Ref DP034 Read My Article Available to purchase as Giclée Print Object Record Object Type Wall Relief Materials Date Period Dynasty 19 Findspot Tomb of Nefertari (QV66), Valley of the Queens Dimensions Current Location Tomb of Nefertari (QV66), Valley of the Queens Object Number People Depicted Nefertari Deities Depicted Isis, Khepri Animals Depicted Snake, Beetle Themes Love ancient Egypt? So do I. Sign up to be the first to hear about new artwork, behind-the-scenes insights, special offers, and the fascinating stories behind the pieces. Email* Subscribe I want to subscribe to your mailing list.

Floral Friezes from Theban Tombs Reproduction of various ancient Egyptian floral friezes and decorative borders discovered in Thebes' tombs. Purchase Print About the Artwork Art Ref DP068 Read My Article Available to purchase as Giclée Print Object Record Object Type Wall Painting Materials Date Period New Kingdom Findspot Theban Necropolis Dimensions Current Location Object Number People Depicted Deities Depicted None Animals Depicted Themes Love ancient Egypt? So do I. Sign up to be the first to hear about new artwork, behind-the-scenes insights, special offers, and the fascinating stories behind the pieces. Email* Subscribe I want to subscribe to your mailing list.

The Opening of the Mouth Ceremony Reproduction of a vignette from the Ancient Egyptian Book of the Dead, taken from the Papyrus of Hunefer from c. 1450 BC. Purchase Print About the Artwork Reproduction of a vignette from the Ancient Egyptian Book of the Dead, taken from the Papyrus of Hunefer from c. 1450 BC. The mummy of Hunefer is supported by the god Anubis (or a priest wearing a jackal mask) whilst Hunefer's wife and daughter mourn, and three priests perform rituals. The two priests with white sashes are carrying out the Opening of the Mouth ritual (Spell 22). Art Ref DP016 Read My Article Available to purchase as Giclée Print Greeting Card Object Record Object Type Papyrus Materials Date Period Dynasty 18 Findspot Theban Necropolis Dimensions Current Location British Museum Object Number People Depicted Hunefer, Nasha Deities Depicted Anubis Animals Depicted Jackal Themes Love ancient Egypt? So do I. Sign up to be the first to hear about new artwork, behind-the-scenes insights, special offers, and the fascinating stories behind the pieces. Email* Subscribe I want to subscribe to your mailing list.

The Unification of Egypt (Narmer Palette) Reproduction of the Narmer Palette, an emblem of ancient Egyptian sovereignty from the time of the first pharaohs. Purchase Print About the Artwork This reproduction showcases the scene carved into the Narmer Palette, an ancient Egyptian ceremonial cosmetic palette dating to around 3100 BCE. It is significant for containing some of the earliest known hieroglyphic inscriptions and for being an early example of the use of the artistic conventions that would go on to define ancient Egyptian art for millennia. Depicting the unification of Upper and Lower Egypt, the palette is linked to King Narmer, a ruler of the Early Dynastic Period (c. 3173–2987 BC). Many scholars regard him as the first king of a unified Egypt and the founder of the First Dynasty. On it, Narmer is depicted as a victorious ruler, smiting an enemy in a classic pose of dominance, reinforcing his role as a military leader. He is shown wearing both the White Crown of Upper Egypt and the Red Crown of Lower Egypt, symbolising the merging of the two regions under his rule. The palette visually contrasts Narmer’s controlled, structured rule with the defeated and chaotic state of his enemies, reinforcing the king’s role as the upholder of order (maat) in the universe. Egyptologists unearthed the Narmer Palette in the Main Deposit of the Temple of Horus at Nekhen (Hierakonpolis), alongside other significant objects such as the Narmer Macehead and Scorpion Macehead. These elaborately decorated artefacts were likely royal offerings, meant to honour both the gods and the king’s achievements. Art Ref DP019 Read My Article Available to purchase as Giclée Print Object Record Object Type Palette Materials Date Period Naqada III, Dynasty 01 Findspot Hierakonpolis Dimensions Current Location Cairo Museum Object Number People Depicted Narmer Deities Depicted Bat, Horus, Hathor Animals Depicted Bull, Falcon, Serpopard Themes Love ancient Egypt? So do I. Sign up to be the first to hear about new artwork, behind-the-scenes insights, special offers, and the fascinating stories behind the pieces. Email* Subscribe I want to subscribe to your mailing list.

Hathor and Opet (Spell 186, Book of the Dead) Reproduction of an illustration of Chapter 186 of the Book of the Dead buried with the Royal Scribe Ani c. 1250 BC. Purchase Print About the Artwork Reproduction of an illustration of Chapter 186 of the Book of the Dead buried with the Royal Scribe Ani c. 1250 BC. It shows two protective goddesses welcoming Ani to his final resting place, a white pyramidion-topped private tomb nestled within the pink cliffs of the Theban desert. The goddess Hathor can be seen in her cow form emerging from a thicket of papyrus and is joined by the benign hippopotamus goddess Opet. Art Ref DP052 Read My Article Available to purchase as Giclée Print Object Record Object Type Papyrus Materials Date Period Dynasty 19 Findspot Theban Necropolis Dimensions Current Location British Museum Object Number People Depicted Ani, Tutu Deities Depicted Hathor, Opet Animals Depicted Cow, Hippo Themes Love ancient Egypt? So do I. Sign up to be the first to hear about new artwork, behind-the-scenes insights, special offers, and the fascinating stories behind the pieces. Email* Subscribe I want to subscribe to your mailing list.

The Scribe Nebqed with Funerary Offerings Reproduction of a vignette from the Book of the Dead created for the royal scribe Nebqed, scribe of Ma'at in the house of Ma'at during the reign of king Amenhotep III around 1400 BC. Purchase Print About the Artwork Reproduction of a vignette from the Book of the Dead created for the royal scribe Nebqed, scribe of Ma'at in the house of Ma'at during the reign of king Amenhotep III around 1400 BC. Nebqed can be seen wearing standing before a pile of funerary offerings, including bundles of lotus flowers, baskets of fruits and grain, bread, fowl and cuts of meat. He wears a wig with triangular stepped sides, a white linen robe, and a scribal palette tucked into his belt. Art Ref DP032 Read My Article Available to purchase as Giclée Print Object Record Object Type Papyrus Materials Date Period Dynasty 18 Findspot Theban Tomb TT319, Thebes, Theban Necropolis Dimensions Current Location Musée du Louvre Object Number People Depicted Nebqed Deities Depicted None Animals Depicted Cow Themes Love ancient Egypt? So do I. Sign up to be the first to hear about new artwork, behind-the-scenes insights, special offers, and the fascinating stories behind the pieces. Email* Subscribe I want to subscribe to your mailing list.

Amenhotep I Deified Reproduction of the interior decoration of a coffin belonging to an unknown person who lived during the Third Intermediate Period, c. 1070-945 BC. Purchase Print About the Artwork Reproduction of the interior decoration of a coffin belonging to an unknown person who lived during the Third Intermediate Period, c. 1070-945 BC. Most of the interior is taken up with the image of King Amenhotep I in the guise of the mummiform Osiris, who is attended by a priest in a panther skin, a human-headed ba-bird representing the spirit of the coffin's owner, and a crouching mourning woman. Art Ref DP045 Read My Article Available to purchase as Giclée Print Object Record Object Type Coffin Materials Date Period Dynasty 21 Findspot Theban Necropolis Dimensions Current Location Metropolitan Museum of Art Object Number People Depicted Amenhotep I Deities Depicted Osiris Animals Depicted Lizard, Snake, Baboon, Bird, Jackal, Falcon, Vulture Themes Love ancient Egypt? So do I. Sign up to be the first to hear about new artwork, behind-the-scenes insights, special offers, and the fascinating stories behind the pieces. Email* Subscribe I want to subscribe to your mailing list.

The Feast of Nebamun: Music of Celebration Reproduction of a feasting scene from the tomb chapel of Nebamun in Thebes, Egypt, now on display in the British Museum. Purchase Print About the Artwork Reproduction of a feasting scene from the tomb chapel of Nebamun in Thebes, Egypt, now on display in the British Museum. It shows a group of female musicians playing instruments, singing and clapping as they perform a song for the feast-goers. Art Ref DP039 Read My Article Available to purchase as Giclée Print Object Record Object Type Wall Relief Materials Date Period Dynasty 18 Findspot Tomb-Chapel of Nebamun, Theban Necropolis Dimensions Current Location British Museum Object Number People Depicted Nebamun Deities Depicted None Animals Depicted Themes Love ancient Egypt? So do I. Sign up to be the first to hear about new artwork, behind-the-scenes insights, special offers, and the fascinating stories behind the pieces. Email* Subscribe I want to subscribe to your mailing list.

Nephthys and the Sons of Horus Reproduction of a scene from the Book of the Dead, taken from a Dynasty 21 coffin belonging to a man called Nespawershefyt. Purchase Print About the Artwork On display in the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge, is a beautifully decorated coffin set dating to c. 1000 BC, comprising a mummy board, inner coffin and outer coffin complete with lids and boxes. It belonged to a high-ranking official from Karnak known as Nespawershefyt (‘He who belongs to the Great One of the Ram’s Head’) or Nesamun (‘He who belongs to Amun’). Holding over 40 titles, his final roles included ‘supervisor of craftsmen’s workshops’ and ‘supervisor of scribes in the house of Amun’. With access to the finest artisans of his time, it's no surprise his coffin is of exceptional quality. Richly and densely decorated with religious scenes and spells from the Book of the Dead, it invokes the protection of the gods and provides guidance for his journey to the afterlife. Nespawershefyt’s coffin set was one of the first Egyptian objects acquired by the Fitzwilliam Museum, donated in 1822 by Barnard Hanbury and George Waddington. The former Trinity College students obtained the coffins during their travels, though little is known about their time in Egypt beyond a documented journey from Wadi Halfa to Meroe. It is another example of how the colonial antiquities trade removed artefacts from their original contexts, leaving gaps in our understanding of their histories, use, and meaning. Nephthys and the Four Sons of Horus Across the top of the scene stretches a blue, arched form of the hieroglyph pt, representing the sky, a common motif that evokes the cosmic order (maat) and the protective dome of heaven. Beneath it sits the funerary goddess Nephthys, associated with mourning, protection, and the afterlife. She often appears in tombs and coffins as a guardian of the dead, working in tandem with her sister Isis to watch over the body and soul. To ancient Egyptians, her name was nbt-ḥwt, meaning “Mistress of the House.” She wears this title as a crown: the hieroglyphic sign for a basket atop a stylised ground plan of a house. Such visual punning was common in ancient Egyptian art, where deities could be identified by the hieroglyphs they wore, blending language and image. Nephthys was revered not only for her role in mourning Osiris but also as a liminal figure, standing between life and death, embodying both the sorrow of loss and the promise of rebirth and regeneration. Nephthys is shown kneeling upon the hieroglyph nb representing gold with her arms raised is a posture of protection. Above her, a winged serpent wearing an ankh around its neck emerges from the Eye of Horus symbol. These have raised arms honouring the hieroglyph of Nephthys’s name on her head in a motif rich in symbols of protection, divinity, and eternal life. Flanking the goddess are the Four Sons of Horus, deities who guarded the canopic jars used to preserve the internal organs during mummification. Each god is depicted in mummiform, symbolising their bond with the preserved body of the deceased. Imseti, protector of the liver, has a human head and is often linked to Isis; Duamutef, guardian of the stomach, has a jackal’s head and is protected by Neith; Qebehsenuef, who watches over the intestines, bears a hawk’s head and is associated with Selqet; and Hapi, defender of the lungs, is shown with a baboon’s head, under the protection of Nephthys herself. Art Ref DP003 Read My Article Available to purchase as Giclée Print Greeting Card Object Record Object Type Coffin Materials Wood, Plaster Date c. 1000 BC Period Dynasty 21, Third Intermediate Period Findspot Theban Necropolis Dimensions Current Location Fitzwilliam Museum Object Number E.1.1822 People Depicted Nespawershefyt Deities Depicted Nephthys, Imseti, Duamutef, Qebehsenuef, Hapi, Eye of Horus Animals Depicted Baboon, Falcon, Jackal, Snake Themes Book of the Dead, Protection Love ancient Egypt? So do I. Sign up to be the first to hear about new artwork, behind-the-scenes insights, special offers, and the fascinating stories behind the pieces. Email* Subscribe I want to subscribe to your mailing list.