| Figured ostraka at the Petrie Museum |
The page was last modified on February 24th 2009
Sources:
1. Museum's web site at www.petrie.ucl.ac.uk
2. Page, Anthea: Ancient Egyptian figured ostraca : in the Petrie collection
Warminster : Aris & Phillips, 1983.
3. Shaw, Ian, Nicholson, Paul: British Museum dictionary of ancient
EgyptLondon: British Museum Press, 1995.
4. Brunner, Emma : Egyptian artists' sketches : figured ostraka from the
Gayer-Anderson collection in the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge.
5. Janssen, Rosalind and Janssen, Jac. J.: Egyptian household animals
Aylesbury : Shire Publications, 1989.
6. Wilkinson, R. H. : The complete gods and goddesses of Ancient Egypt.
London : Thames & Hudson, 2003.
7. Calverley, A.: The temple of King Sethos I at Abydos, vol. IV. Chicago,
1958, pl. 18
8. Janssen, Jac. J.: Daily dress at Deir el-Medina : words for clothing
London : Golden House Publications, 2008.
9. Peck, W. H. : Review of Ancient Egyptian figured ostraca in the Petrie
Collection by Anthea Page IN: The Journal of Egyptian Archaeology, Vol. 71,
Reviews Supplement (1985), pp. 14-16
10. Gardiner, Alan: Egyptian grammar : being an introduction to the study of
hieroglyphs
Oxford : Griffith Institute, 1957.
11. Houlihan, Patrick F. and Goodman, Steven M.: The birds of ancient Egypt
(Natural history of ancient Egypt)
Warminster : Aris & Phillips Ltd., 1986.
12. My own study and observation of the ostraka listed
1. Museum's web site at www.petrie.ucl.ac.uk
2. Page, Anthea: Ancient Egyptian figured ostraca : in the Petrie collection
Warminster : Aris & Phillips, 1983.
3. Shaw, Ian, Nicholson, Paul: British Museum dictionary of ancient
EgyptLondon: British Museum Press, 1995.
4. Brunner, Emma : Egyptian artists' sketches : figured ostraka from the
Gayer-Anderson collection in the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge.
5. Janssen, Rosalind and Janssen, Jac. J.: Egyptian household animals
Aylesbury : Shire Publications, 1989.
6. Wilkinson, R. H. : The complete gods and goddesses of Ancient Egypt.
London : Thames & Hudson, 2003.
7. Calverley, A.: The temple of King Sethos I at Abydos, vol. IV. Chicago,
1958, pl. 18
8. Janssen, Jac. J.: Daily dress at Deir el-Medina : words for clothing
London : Golden House Publications, 2008.
9. Peck, W. H. : Review of Ancient Egyptian figured ostraca in the Petrie
Collection by Anthea Page IN: The Journal of Egyptian Archaeology, Vol. 71,
Reviews Supplement (1985), pp. 14-16
10. Gardiner, Alan: Egyptian grammar : being an introduction to the study of
hieroglyphs
Oxford : Griffith Institute, 1957.
11. Houlihan, Patrick F. and Goodman, Steven M.: The birds of ancient Egypt
(Natural history of ancient Egypt)
Warminster : Aris & Phillips Ltd., 1986.
12. My own study and observation of the ostraka listed
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| There is a suggestion (in: Calverley, A.: The temple of King Sethos I at Abydos, vol. IV. Chicago, 1958, pl. 18) that, the large aquiline nose indicates a portrait of Seti I, Ramesses II or Merneptah. All those pharaohs were portrayed with a nose like that, which was in contrast to the straight noses of the 18th dynasty predecessors. For this reason it was suggested that the ostrakon could be a student copy from a temple relief or from a painting from the temple of Seti I at Abydos. The figure wears a false beard. His garment is tight fitting and has a narrow collar. His hands are holding three objects: the closest one to the figure is "hk3" sceptre - the crook symbolizing the government, the middle one is "w3s" sceptre - whose primarily function in funerary context was to ensure the continued welfare of the deceased, and the flail or "nekhakha" on the left. All three of them are prominent items in royal regalia. Before the flail became part of royal regalia, it was associated primarily with the god Osiris. W.H. Pecks argues (Peck, 1985, p. 15) that the shape and curvature of the false beard tends to suggest a god rather than a king. The kings' beards tend to be straighter and squared-off at the end whereas the beards of gods are curved and rounded, which he points out is the case here. |
Standing figure of a goddess, who is depicted as a
lion-headed woman, with a sun disc and uraeus on
her head. Her face is turned to the right towards a
worshipping figure in a elaborate pleated gown,
typical of the late New Kingdom. The worshippers
hands are in a gesture of adoration. The goddess
wears tight fitting dress with straps over her
shoulder. She holds a staff or sceptre in her left
hand.
Both the Museum catalogue and Anthea Page (Page,
1983, p. 63) identify the goddess as Sekhmet,
W.H. Peck (Peck, 1985, p. 15) disputes the
identification on the grounds that there is no
further indication that it is Sekhmet. He points out
the fact that there are some 30 lion-goddesses
listed among the ancient Egyptian gods and thus the
figure here could also be Bastet, Mut or Tefnut,
among others, who are shown as lion-headed.
Height: 13.6 cm
Width: 11.7 cm
lion-headed woman, with a sun disc and uraeus on
her head. Her face is turned to the right towards a
worshipping figure in a elaborate pleated gown,
typical of the late New Kingdom. The worshippers
hands are in a gesture of adoration. The goddess
wears tight fitting dress with straps over her
shoulder. She holds a staff or sceptre in her left
hand.
Both the Museum catalogue and Anthea Page (Page,
1983, p. 63) identify the goddess as Sekhmet,
W.H. Peck (Peck, 1985, p. 15) disputes the
identification on the grounds that there is no
further indication that it is Sekhmet. He points out
the fact that there are some 30 lion-goddesses
listed among the ancient Egyptian gods and thus the
figure here could also be Bastet, Mut or Tefnut,
among others, who are shown as lion-headed.
Height: 13.6 cm
Width: 11.7 cm
UC33249
Horus
New Kingdom
Possibly from Deir el-Medina
Limestone
Drawing of a falcon depicting the god Horus facing
to the right and standing on a base line. There
are traces of a crown on his head and a flail, the
royal insignia, at his side. Three serpents stand
in front of him.
Black pigment
Height: 10 cm
Width: 12 cm
Horus
New Kingdom
Possibly from Deir el-Medina
Limestone
Drawing of a falcon depicting the god Horus facing
to the right and standing on a base line. There
are traces of a crown on his head and a flail, the
royal insignia, at his side. Three serpents stand
in front of him.
Black pigment
Height: 10 cm
Width: 12 cm
UC33260
King making offering to Min-Amun
Possibly from Deir el-Medina or Koptos
19th dynasty of later date - possibly Ptolemaic
Limestone
Red pigment
Drawing of a king making an offering of two pots to
Min-Amun. The king wears the red crown of Lower
Egypt and a short skirt with pleats and a central
panel. Min-Amun stands on the right on a podium with
a sloping front. He is represented in mummiform. His
figure is faint, while the figure of the king and the
podium underneath Min-Amun's feet are coloured in.
Between the two figures there is an offering table
with a cup and possibly two bull's heads on it.
There are two vertical columns of hieroglyphic
inscriptions at the top, reading Min-Amun, Mn. The
horizontal line at the bottom reads "htp-di-nsw
Mn-Imn", meaning "The offering which the king gives
to Min-Amun".
The style of the drawing shows signs of Ptolemaic
style. It could originate from Koptos, where the local
fertility god Min was worshipped and where Flinders
Petrie excavated the temple of Min.
Height: 18.7 cm
Width: 16.8 cm
King making offering to Min-Amun
Possibly from Deir el-Medina or Koptos
19th dynasty of later date - possibly Ptolemaic
Limestone
Red pigment
Drawing of a king making an offering of two pots to
Min-Amun. The king wears the red crown of Lower
Egypt and a short skirt with pleats and a central
panel. Min-Amun stands on the right on a podium with
a sloping front. He is represented in mummiform. His
figure is faint, while the figure of the king and the
podium underneath Min-Amun's feet are coloured in.
Between the two figures there is an offering table
with a cup and possibly two bull's heads on it.
There are two vertical columns of hieroglyphic
inscriptions at the top, reading Min-Amun, Mn. The
horizontal line at the bottom reads "htp-di-nsw
Mn-Imn", meaning "The offering which the king gives
to Min-Amun".
The style of the drawing shows signs of Ptolemaic
style. It could originate from Koptos, where the local
fertility god Min was worshipped and where Flinders
Petrie excavated the temple of Min.
Height: 18.7 cm
Width: 16.8 cm
| The collection of figured ostraka at the Petrie Museum mostly comes from Flinders Petrie purchases. The places of origin of these ostraka were not recorded and are still to be researched. The fact, that most of them are just drawings lacking inscriptions, means that it is more difficult to establish their place of origin, than it is for the hieratic ostraka, where the names of people involved in transactions are recorded and might be known to us from other sources. But most figured ostraka are probably from Thebes, specifically from Deir el-Medina, or from places, where the Deir el-Medina artisans worked. Possible future analysis and study of the limestone structure could help in locating more accurately their places of origin. The collection consists of drawings in black, or in black and red mineral based pigments. The drawings are executed on small pieces of limestone or terracotta sherds. They illustrate every stage from an apprentice's first attempts to the most elaborate draughtsmanship. Some ostraka show the underlying sketch in red ink. Themes of the ostraka vary from gods and royal personages to ordinary men and women, animals represented by mammals, birds, insect and reptiles and even architectural and furniture elements, boats and individual hieroglyphs. Some ostraka were clearly the practise pieces of pupils, whose work was subsequently corrected by their teachers. These pieces allow us to learn their techniques. Some ostraka were products of the moment and often bear themes and motives that do not appear in official art. They are unique treasures of original works of art. As freedom is allowed to the artist, these glimpses illustrate fascinating aspects of the ancient Egyptian culture and life. I would like to express my thanks to the Petrie Museum and its staff, whose time and help has been essential. The curator Stephen Quirke kindly gave me permission to publish the ostraka images on my web site, Tracey Golding and Ivor Pridden have been generous with their time and assistance. © Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology, UCL The text and photography Lenka Peacock |
UC33192
Ptah
Ramesside Period
Limestone
Figure of a seated god Ptah facing right. He wears a
tight fitting cap, with his large ears protruding, and a
long false beard which curls up towards the end. His
cloak is also tight fitting. It has got a collar from
which a tassel hangs. Both hands, placed one above the
other, hold a dd-pillar and was-sceptre. The top of
the seat is depicted.
Black pigment with traces of underlying sketch in red
pigment
Height: 11.1 cm
Width: 7.8 cm
Ptah
Ramesside Period
Limestone
Figure of a seated god Ptah facing right. He wears a
tight fitting cap, with his large ears protruding, and a
long false beard which curls up towards the end. His
cloak is also tight fitting. It has got a collar from
which a tassel hangs. Both hands, placed one above the
other, hold a dd-pillar and was-sceptre. The top of
the seat is depicted.
Black pigment with traces of underlying sketch in red
pigment
Height: 11.1 cm
Width: 7.8 cm
Figure of a seated god Osiris facing to the
right. He wear the atef crown and a false
beard, a divine attribute of the gods. He sits
on a throne, which stands on a raised
platform. Behind the figure of Osiris, there is
the "imiut" fetish, consisting of a decapitated
animal skin hanging at the top of a pole, which
is a symbol of Anubis, who is associated with
the mummification process linked to Osiris.
At the right top corner there are three
columns of a hieroglyphic inscription.
W.H. Peck (Peck, 1985, p. 15) points out
that the condition and preservation of this
piece make it difficult to decide whether the
seated Osiris is related to the platform or
whether the elements are parts of two
unrelated drawings.
Height: 9.2 cm
Width: 11.3 cm
right. He wear the atef crown and a false
beard, a divine attribute of the gods. He sits
on a throne, which stands on a raised
platform. Behind the figure of Osiris, there is
the "imiut" fetish, consisting of a decapitated
animal skin hanging at the top of a pole, which
is a symbol of Anubis, who is associated with
the mummification process linked to Osiris.
At the right top corner there are three
columns of a hieroglyphic inscription.
W.H. Peck (Peck, 1985, p. 15) points out
that the condition and preservation of this
piece make it difficult to decide whether the
seated Osiris is related to the platform or
whether the elements are parts of two
unrelated drawings.
Height: 9.2 cm
Width: 11.3 cm
UC33196
Thoth
New Kingdom
Potsherd
Red pigment
The upper part of the god Thoth depicted as an
ibis-headed man. He stands inside a shrine and
faces to the right. His head is drawn in a profile,
his upper torso is drawn from the front. He wears
a moon and disc on his head. His left hand holds
"w3s" sceptre. There are very faint traces of an
hieroglyphic inscription - 3 columns to the right of
the figure and 2 columns behind him. The
inscription was scraped off in the past and cannot
be read.
Height: 10.1 cm
Width: 9.7 cm
Thoth
New Kingdom
Potsherd
Red pigment
The upper part of the god Thoth depicted as an
ibis-headed man. He stands inside a shrine and
faces to the right. His head is drawn in a profile,
his upper torso is drawn from the front. He wears
a moon and disc on his head. His left hand holds
"w3s" sceptre. There are very faint traces of an
hieroglyphic inscription - 3 columns to the right of
the figure and 2 columns behind him. The
inscription was scraped off in the past and cannot
be read.
Height: 10.1 cm
Width: 9.7 cm
UC33224
Ram
New Kingdom, 1550-1350 BC
Black pigment
Potsherd
Drawing of a ram facing to the right. He has got long
horizontal horns on his head. There is a faint base
line and two horizontal lines, one behind the ram, the
other one, shorter, at the top of his head, starting in
the middle of the horns. It was suggested that the
line might represent uraeus.
The drawing might be a representation of the god
Khnum.
Height: 6.8 cm
Width: 8 cm
Ram
New Kingdom, 1550-1350 BC
Black pigment
Potsherd
Drawing of a ram facing to the right. He has got long
horizontal horns on his head. There is a faint base
line and two horizontal lines, one behind the ram, the
other one, shorter, at the top of his head, starting in
the middle of the horns. It was suggested that the
line might represent uraeus.
The drawing might be a representation of the god
Khnum.
Height: 6.8 cm
Width: 8 cm
UC33221
Upper part of Osiris or a king
19th dynasty (?)
Possibly from Deir el-Medina or Abydos
Limestone
Black pigment
Height: 11.7 cm
Width: 9 cm
Upper part of a king or Osiris facing to the
left. The figure wears the Atef crown
(effectively a "white crown" with plume on
either side). A large uraeus is attached to the
crown. His eye is drawn frontally, the eyebrow
and the cosmetic line are extended across the
temple as parallel lines. Both the ear and the
nose are large.
Upper part of Osiris or a king
19th dynasty (?)
Possibly from Deir el-Medina or Abydos
Limestone
Black pigment
Height: 11.7 cm
Width: 9 cm
Upper part of a king or Osiris facing to the
left. The figure wears the Atef crown
(effectively a "white crown" with plume on
either side). A large uraeus is attached to the
crown. His eye is drawn frontally, the eyebrow
and the cosmetic line are extended across the
temple as parallel lines. Both the ear and the
nose are large.
UC33195
Ptah
New Kingdom
Limestone
Black ink
Figure of a standing god Ptah facing right. He is
placed within a shrine. The sloping pedestal on which
the god stands may represent the mound of creation
or the craftsman's level and the hieroglyphic symbol
for truth (maat). He is depicted as a mummiform
figure with his feet together and with his hands
protruding from his tightly wrapped shroud which is
his conventionalized characteristic. He holds the
`nh-sign in his right hand, and w3s-sceptre and
dd-pillar in his left hand. He wears a close fitting
skull cap. His beard is straight rather than the usual
curved divine beard found on other Egyptian gods. He
wears a large tassel at the rear of his garment.
The god Ptah's original cult association seems to have
been with craftsmen. He was revered at Deir
el-Medina.
Height: 13.1 cm
Width: 10.1 cm
Ptah
New Kingdom
Limestone
Black ink
Figure of a standing god Ptah facing right. He is
placed within a shrine. The sloping pedestal on which
the god stands may represent the mound of creation
or the craftsman's level and the hieroglyphic symbol
for truth (maat). He is depicted as a mummiform
figure with his feet together and with his hands
protruding from his tightly wrapped shroud which is
his conventionalized characteristic. He holds the
`nh-sign in his right hand, and w3s-sceptre and
dd-pillar in his left hand. He wears a close fitting
skull cap. His beard is straight rather than the usual
curved divine beard found on other Egyptian gods. He
wears a large tassel at the rear of his garment.
The god Ptah's original cult association seems to have
been with craftsmen. He was revered at Deir
el-Medina.
Height: 13.1 cm
Width: 10.1 cm
UC33225
Amun
New Kingdom
Limestone
Black ink
Drawing of a head of a ram probably representing the
god Amun. He is facing towards right. His large horns
curve around his ears. He has got a serpent drawn on
top of his head.
Height: 7 cm
Width: 7.7 cm
Amun
New Kingdom
Limestone
Black ink
Drawing of a head of a ram probably representing the
god Amun. He is facing towards right. His large horns
curve around his ears. He has got a serpent drawn on
top of his head.
Height: 7 cm
Width: 7.7 cm
UC33229
Jackal lying on winged disk
New Kingdom
Potsherd
Black ink
Drawing of a jackal lying on top of a large pair of wings
with solar disk and uraeus, facing right. The wings of a
hawk are symbolizing Horus. Since Horus was
associated with the king, the winged disk came to have
both royal and protective significance, as well as
representing the heavens through which the sun moved.
Height: 11.3 cm
Width: 10.4 cm
Jackal lying on winged disk
New Kingdom
Potsherd
Black ink
Drawing of a jackal lying on top of a large pair of wings
with solar disk and uraeus, facing right. The wings of a
hawk are symbolizing Horus. Since Horus was
associated with the king, the winged disk came to have
both royal and protective significance, as well as
representing the heavens through which the sun moved.
Height: 11.3 cm
Width: 10.4 cm
UC33226
Ram
New Kingdom
Black ink
Potsherd
Drawing of the head and the forepart of a kneeling
ram facing right. It has got long wavy horns. There
are traces of faint hieratic inscriptions, perhaps
reading as "may you be divine in..."
Height: 5.2 cm
Width: 8.4 cm
Ram
New Kingdom
Black ink
Potsherd
Drawing of the head and the forepart of a kneeling
ram facing right. It has got long wavy horns. There
are traces of faint hieratic inscriptions, perhaps
reading as "may you be divine in..."
Height: 5.2 cm
Width: 8.4 cm
UC33191
Thoth
New Kingdom
Limestone
Black ink
The upper part of a standing figure of the god
Thoth who is depicted as an ibis-headed man
facing right. The lunar disk and crescent on his
head symbolize the moon's phases. He wears a
tripartite wig. His shoulders are drawn
frontally. He wears a short skirt with a broad
band across his body and over his left shoulder.
Height: 18.7 cm
Width: 10.6 cm
Thoth
New Kingdom
Limestone
Black ink
The upper part of a standing figure of the god
Thoth who is depicted as an ibis-headed man
facing right. The lunar disk and crescent on his
head symbolize the moon's phases. He wears a
tripartite wig. His shoulders are drawn
frontally. He wears a short skirt with a broad
band across his body and over his left shoulder.
Height: 18.7 cm
Width: 10.6 cm
UC33812
Meretseger
New Kingdom, 1550-1350 BC
Possibly from Deir el-Medina
Limestone
Black ink
Drawing of a serpent - a rearing cobra - in front of
an offering table/vase/metal stand. The hood of the
cobra is dilated and patterned. The base line is
indicated.
Meretseger was the goddess of the pyramidal peak
which lies above the Theban necropolis. Her usual
name was "she who loves silence". She was primarily
worshipped by the workmen of Deir el-Medina.
The stand resembles metal stands for vases found
in Theban tombs. This form of stand appears on
coffins, generally under the offering table depiction.
Height: 7.3 cm
Width: 9.4 cm
Meretseger
New Kingdom, 1550-1350 BC
Possibly from Deir el-Medina
Limestone
Black ink
Drawing of a serpent - a rearing cobra - in front of
an offering table/vase/metal stand. The hood of the
cobra is dilated and patterned. The base line is
indicated.
Meretseger was the goddess of the pyramidal peak
which lies above the Theban necropolis. Her usual
name was "she who loves silence". She was primarily
worshipped by the workmen of Deir el-Medina.
The stand resembles metal stands for vases found
in Theban tombs. This form of stand appears on
coffins, generally under the offering table depiction.
Height: 7.3 cm
Width: 9.4 cm
UC33258
Queen Ahmose-Nefertari
Possibly from Deir el-Medina
19th dynasty, 1295-1186 BC
Limestone
Black ink with traces of the preliminary sketch in red
Upper part of a figure of Queen Ahmose-Nefertari
facing left. She wears a long tripartite wig and the
Vulture headdress.
Dating of the ostrakon takes into consideration the
fact that Queen Ahmose-Nefertari was represented
as wearing the "Vulture" headdress after she was
deified in the Ramesside Period.
Height: 11.8 cm
Width: 13.5 cm
Queen Ahmose-Nefertari
Possibly from Deir el-Medina
19th dynasty, 1295-1186 BC
Limestone
Black ink with traces of the preliminary sketch in red
Upper part of a figure of Queen Ahmose-Nefertari
facing left. She wears a long tripartite wig and the
Vulture headdress.
Dating of the ostrakon takes into consideration the
fact that Queen Ahmose-Nefertari was represented
as wearing the "Vulture" headdress after she was
deified in the Ramesside Period.
Height: 11.8 cm
Width: 13.5 cm
Ostraka displaying motives of deities
UC33244
Head of a man
New Kingdom, 1550-1350 BC
Possibly from Deir el-Medina
Limestone
Black ink and red pigment
Head of a balding man drawn in profile facing left. He
wears a collar with lines radiating from his neck. His facial
features are no longer visible. It is possible that this is a
trial piece for a painting in a Theban tomb, representing a
member of a family or a deceased person. The areas
around the eye and the mouth could have been erased as
the red wash used for the face and the top of the head
seems to be missing there.
Height: 10.3 cm
Width: 9.5 cm
Head of a man
New Kingdom, 1550-1350 BC
Possibly from Deir el-Medina
Limestone
Black ink and red pigment
Head of a balding man drawn in profile facing left. He
wears a collar with lines radiating from his neck. His facial
features are no longer visible. It is possible that this is a
trial piece for a painting in a Theban tomb, representing a
member of a family or a deceased person. The areas
around the eye and the mouth could have been erased as
the red wash used for the face and the top of the head
seems to be missing there.
Height: 10.3 cm
Width: 9.5 cm
UC15947
Head of a noble
20th dynasty? (1186-1069 BC)
From Thebes. Left behind by students of a school of
ancient artists in Ramesseum's mud brick magazines.
Marked "Petrie 2" on its label.
Potsherd
Black ink
Head and shoulders of a noble drawn in profile facing left.
He wears a short wig brought behind his ears. He has got
a short square beard. His eye is drawn frontally. The line
of his nose is similar to profiles on portraits of the
Ramesside kings.
This is probably a trial piece for paintings in royal tombs
or tombs of private individuals from the Theban necropolis.
Height: 8.8 cm
Width: 7.6 cm
Head of a noble
20th dynasty? (1186-1069 BC)
From Thebes. Left behind by students of a school of
ancient artists in Ramesseum's mud brick magazines.
Marked "Petrie 2" on its label.
Potsherd
Black ink
Head and shoulders of a noble drawn in profile facing left.
He wears a short wig brought behind his ears. He has got
a short square beard. His eye is drawn frontally. The line
of his nose is similar to profiles on portraits of the
Ramesside kings.
This is probably a trial piece for paintings in royal tombs
or tombs of private individuals from the Theban necropolis.
Height: 8.8 cm
Width: 7.6 cm
UC33237
Standing man
New Kingdom, 1550-1350 BC
Potsherd
Black ink
Drawing of a standing figure of a headless man facing
right. He wears a wraparound short kilt. His left leg
is drawn advanced, his right arm is held across his
chest in an upright position, his left arm is down
holding a long object, possibly a bouquet as an
offering. This ostrakon might be a trial piece for a
painting in an offering scene on a tomb wall.
Treated at the Institute of Archaeology.
Height: 12.7 cm
Width: 11.1 cm
Standing man
New Kingdom, 1550-1350 BC
Potsherd
Black ink
Drawing of a standing figure of a headless man facing
right. He wears a wraparound short kilt. His left leg
is drawn advanced, his right arm is held across his
chest in an upright position, his left arm is down
holding a long object, possibly a bouquet as an
offering. This ostrakon might be a trial piece for a
painting in an offering scene on a tomb wall.
Treated at the Institute of Archaeology.
Height: 12.7 cm
Width: 11.1 cm
UC33227
Pintail duck
19th dynasty?
Marked from Deir el-Bahari on the back
Limestone
Drawing of a pintail duck in flight facing right. The body and wings
are drawn in outline, the head is filled in with black ink.
Pintail ducks were the most common kind of duck in ancient Egypt.
They were very frequently depicted on temple and tomb walls.
When depicted in flight they are also a hieroglyphic sign
representing the ideogram "pa" meaning "to fly". The drawing could
be a trial piece of a hieroglyph, but it can also be a trial piece
for a larger scene.
Height: 10 cm
Width: 5.6 cm
Pintail duck
19th dynasty?
Marked from Deir el-Bahari on the back
Limestone
Drawing of a pintail duck in flight facing right. The body and wings
are drawn in outline, the head is filled in with black ink.
Pintail ducks were the most common kind of duck in ancient Egypt.
They were very frequently depicted on temple and tomb walls.
When depicted in flight they are also a hieroglyphic sign
representing the ideogram "pa" meaning "to fly". The drawing could
be a trial piece of a hieroglyph, but it can also be a trial piece
for a larger scene.
Height: 10 cm
Width: 5.6 cm
UC33216
Head of an owl
New Kingdom, 1550-1350 BC
Possibly Deir el-Medina
Potsherd
Black ink
Frontal drawing of a head of an owl, which most
probably represents an artist's study of a
hieroglyphic sign "m". There are several more
drawings representing hieroglyphs - a loaf of
bread at the left top corner representing phonetic
"t", the back of a viper representing "f" and a
part of a feather representing "sw".
Height: 5.3 cm
Width: 5.7 cm
Head of an owl
New Kingdom, 1550-1350 BC
Possibly Deir el-Medina
Potsherd
Black ink
Frontal drawing of a head of an owl, which most
probably represents an artist's study of a
hieroglyphic sign "m". There are several more
drawings representing hieroglyphs - a loaf of
bread at the left top corner representing phonetic
"t", the back of a viper representing "f" and a
part of a feather representing "sw".
Height: 5.3 cm
Width: 5.7 cm
UC33207
Goose
New Kingdom, 1550-1350 BC
Possibly from Deir el-Medina
Limestone
Red pigment
Outline sketch of a goose facing right. Its neck is
extended and its head is bent to the ground as if
pecking the ground. The base line is indicated.
The goose was frequently depicted on temple and tomb
walls. It is also a hieroglyphic sign for semi-phonetic
"gb" and determinative for "gb"-goose. This could
have been a preliminary sketch as a draft for an
agricultural scene.
Height: 10.1 cm
Width: 12.8 cm
Goose
New Kingdom, 1550-1350 BC
Possibly from Deir el-Medina
Limestone
Red pigment
Outline sketch of a goose facing right. Its neck is
extended and its head is bent to the ground as if
pecking the ground. The base line is indicated.
The goose was frequently depicted on temple and tomb
walls. It is also a hieroglyphic sign for semi-phonetic
"gb" and determinative for "gb"-goose. This could
have been a preliminary sketch as a draft for an
agricultural scene.
Height: 10.1 cm
Width: 12.8 cm
Ostraka displaying motives of royal figures
Ostraka displaying motives of men
Ostraka displaying motives of birds
UC33210
Torso of a king
New Kingdom, Ramesside Period, 1295-1069 BC
Limestone
Drawing in black ink, there are traces of red pigment on the
crown and in front of the figure
Drawing of the upper part of a king's torso. He faces to the
right, his right arm is raised horizontally at the shoulder
level, perhaps in the gesture of making an offering. His eye
and shoulders are drawn frontally. He wears an elaborate
composite crown, consisting of White crown, flanked by twin
plumes, sitting on top of the Red crown, encircled by uraei
with disks on their foreheads. The whole Double Crown, which
could also be seen as Atef Crown, is flanked with horizontal
pair of ram's horns. They end in large uraei, surmounted with
sun disks. The king's head is also adorned with a short wig,
uraeus on his forehead and a false beard on his chin. He
wears a broad collar and a pleated skirt with a wide pleated
tie around his waist and over his shoulder.
The drawing is skillfully executed and could be a student copy
of a temple relief or a craftsman's draft for a temple relief.
Height: 13.6 cm
Width: 9 cm
Torso of a king
New Kingdom, Ramesside Period, 1295-1069 BC
Limestone
Drawing in black ink, there are traces of red pigment on the
crown and in front of the figure
Drawing of the upper part of a king's torso. He faces to the
right, his right arm is raised horizontally at the shoulder
level, perhaps in the gesture of making an offering. His eye
and shoulders are drawn frontally. He wears an elaborate
composite crown, consisting of White crown, flanked by twin
plumes, sitting on top of the Red crown, encircled by uraei
with disks on their foreheads. The whole Double Crown, which
could also be seen as Atef Crown, is flanked with horizontal
pair of ram's horns. They end in large uraei, surmounted with
sun disks. The king's head is also adorned with a short wig,
uraeus on his forehead and a false beard on his chin. He
wears a broad collar and a pleated skirt with a wide pleated
tie around his waist and over his shoulder.
The drawing is skillfully executed and could be a student copy
of a temple relief or a craftsman's draft for a temple relief.
Height: 13.6 cm
Width: 9 cm
UC33239
Seated man before an offering table
New Kingdom, 1550-1350 BC
Possibly from Deir el-Medina
Limestone
Black ink
Drawing of a seated man in front of an offering table. He
sits on a low-backed, block throne and faces right. The
small table before him is laden with food offerings: conical
and round loaves of bread and birds. Behind the seated
man stands another figure. Above the figures there is an
wd3t-eye, probably one of a pair, as the surface of the
whole right top corner is flaked off. Beneath the base line
of the drawing there are traces of another unidentified
drawing.
The drawing represents a typical funerary offering scene
with the deceased seated and his relative in attendance.
Perhaps this is a miniature stela, that could have come
from a workmen's tomb at Deir el-Medina.
Height: 7.2 cm
Width: 6 cm
Seated man before an offering table
New Kingdom, 1550-1350 BC
Possibly from Deir el-Medina
Limestone
Black ink
Drawing of a seated man in front of an offering table. He
sits on a low-backed, block throne and faces right. The
small table before him is laden with food offerings: conical
and round loaves of bread and birds. Behind the seated
man stands another figure. Above the figures there is an
wd3t-eye, probably one of a pair, as the surface of the
whole right top corner is flaked off. Beneath the base line
of the drawing there are traces of another unidentified
drawing.
The drawing represents a typical funerary offering scene
with the deceased seated and his relative in attendance.
Perhaps this is a miniature stela, that could have come
from a workmen's tomb at Deir el-Medina.
Height: 7.2 cm
Width: 6 cm
UC33238
Kneeling man
New Kingdom, 1550-1350 BC
Possibly from Deir el-Medina
Potsherd
Black ink
Drawing of a headless kneeling man facing to the
left. He kneels on his left leg and sits on the heel
of his foot. His right leg is drawn up towards his
body. He faces an offering table bearing four
circular loaves of bread and a lotus flower. The
man wears a wide-sleeved garment. His arms are
raised in adoration. There could have been a figure
of a deity behind the offering table, the remaining
line could be the god's leg. The base line is
indicated.
Marked in black ink "o" below the base line.
This type of scene frequently appears on Deir
el-Medina votive stelae and in the tomb
decoration. If the line of the leg are remains of a
mummiform god, both Osiris and Ptah could have
stood behind the offering table.
Height: 11.3 cm
Width: 13 cm
Kneeling man
New Kingdom, 1550-1350 BC
Possibly from Deir el-Medina
Potsherd
Black ink
Drawing of a headless kneeling man facing to the
left. He kneels on his left leg and sits on the heel
of his foot. His right leg is drawn up towards his
body. He faces an offering table bearing four
circular loaves of bread and a lotus flower. The
man wears a wide-sleeved garment. His arms are
raised in adoration. There could have been a figure
of a deity behind the offering table, the remaining
line could be the god's leg. The base line is
indicated.
Marked in black ink "o" below the base line.
This type of scene frequently appears on Deir
el-Medina votive stelae and in the tomb
decoration. If the line of the leg are remains of a
mummiform god, both Osiris and Ptah could have
stood behind the offering table.
Height: 11.3 cm
Width: 13 cm
UC33214 front
Two men walking
New Kingdom, 1550-1350 BC
Limestone
Black ink, traces of red pigment on upper
arm of the man on the right and in the
bottom right corner of the ostrakon
Drawing on a squared-off piece of a
limestone of two men walking facing right,
holding staffs in their left hands. Both
wear short pleated skirts.
Two men walking
New Kingdom, 1550-1350 BC
Limestone
Black ink, traces of red pigment on upper
arm of the man on the right and in the
bottom right corner of the ostrakon
Drawing on a squared-off piece of a
limestone of two men walking facing right,
holding staffs in their left hands. Both
wear short pleated skirts.
UC33214 back
One line of a vertical cursive inscription
The 1st sign reads ht, the 2nd and the 5th are
probably the same hieroglyph representing the male
figure. The 3rd sign is damaged, the 4th is not
decipherable. The last sign is the sun-disk.
The inscription can be interpreted as a name, the
possible readings could be Ra-khet or Khet-su.
Height: 6 cm
Width: 7.3 cm
One line of a vertical cursive inscription
The 1st sign reads ht, the 2nd and the 5th are
probably the same hieroglyph representing the male
figure. The 3rd sign is damaged, the 4th is not
decipherable. The last sign is the sun-disk.
The inscription can be interpreted as a name, the
possible readings could be Ra-khet or Khet-su.
Height: 6 cm
Width: 7.3 cm
UC2227
Man carrying bundles
20th dynasty, 1186-1069 BC
Found at Thebes in the brick chamber north of the pylon of
Tuthmosis IV
Potsherd
Black ink
Drawing of a man, possibly a peasant, carrying a bundle in his
right hand at his side and another one on a long stick held over
his shoulder with his left hand. He walks towards the right,
his left leg is advanced. His head is drawn in profile. His hair
is straight. He wears a short skirt tied around his waist and a
short-sleeved top.
Height: 21.3 cm
Width: 18.5 cm
Man carrying bundles
20th dynasty, 1186-1069 BC
Found at Thebes in the brick chamber north of the pylon of
Tuthmosis IV
Potsherd
Black ink
Drawing of a man, possibly a peasant, carrying a bundle in his
right hand at his side and another one on a long stick held over
his shoulder with his left hand. He walks towards the right,
his left leg is advanced. His head is drawn in profile. His hair
is straight. He wears a short skirt tied around his waist and a
short-sleeved top.
Height: 21.3 cm
Width: 18.5 cm
UC33223
Standing girl
Ramesside period, 1295-1069 BC
Limestone
Black ink
Drawing of a standing girl facing right. She wears a
sidelock of youth and a diaphanous gown. Her legs and
body are well rounded. Her pubic triangle is indicated. Her
left hand is raised to her forehead, and holds a cup in her
right hand.
Height: 12.4 cm
Width: 10.8 cm
Standing girl
Ramesside period, 1295-1069 BC
Limestone
Black ink
Drawing of a standing girl facing right. She wears a
sidelock of youth and a diaphanous gown. Her legs and
body are well rounded. Her pubic triangle is indicated. Her
left hand is raised to her forehead, and holds a cup in her
right hand.
Height: 12.4 cm
Width: 10.8 cm
Wennekhu's stela.
British Museum
EA 1248.
An example of a
Deir el-Medina
stela showing the
same position of
adoration.
British Museum
EA 1248.
An example of a
Deir el-Medina
stela showing the
same position of
adoration.
UC33202
Man and bull
New Kingdom, 1550-1350 BC
Limestone
Red and black pigment
Drawing of a pied bull, whose head is missing, walking
to the right, followed by a herdsman with a feather
on his head. The man, who is disproportionately small,
holds a stick in his right hand and a piece of rope over
the left arm. He wears a short kilt. The base line is
indicated.
Traces of red pigment from the preliminary sketch,
also there is red pigment on bull's patches.
The surface of the ostrakon is very fragile and
fragmentary. It has been treated in the Institute of
Archaeology.
Height: 8.8 cm
Width: 9.4 cm
Man and bull
New Kingdom, 1550-1350 BC
Limestone
Red and black pigment
Drawing of a pied bull, whose head is missing, walking
to the right, followed by a herdsman with a feather
on his head. The man, who is disproportionately small,
holds a stick in his right hand and a piece of rope over
the left arm. He wears a short kilt. The base line is
indicated.
Traces of red pigment from the preliminary sketch,
also there is red pigment on bull's patches.
The surface of the ostrakon is very fragile and
fragmentary. It has been treated in the Institute of
Archaeology.
Height: 8.8 cm
Width: 9.4 cm
Ostraka displaying motives of women and children
UC33230
Curlew ?
New Kingdom, 1550-1350 BC
Potsherd
Black pigment
Drawing of a standing bird, facing right. It has a long
narrow beak, large round eye and thin legs. The feathers
are marked with streaks. This sketch has been
tentatively identified by A. Page as a Senegal stone
curlew, a modern resident of both the Nile Delta and
Upper Egypt. However, this species of wading bird is not
known elsewhere in ancient Egyptian iconography (see, for
example, P.F. Houlihan, The Birds of Ancient Egypt [Cairo,
1988]). On the other hand, W.H. Peck has suggested that
this figure may depict a quail chick, which does seem a
far more plausible identification. If so, this ostrakon
would then most likely be a practice piece of a standard
hieroglyphic sign.
Height: 13.9 cm
Length: 13.7 cm
Curlew ?
New Kingdom, 1550-1350 BC
Potsherd
Black pigment
Drawing of a standing bird, facing right. It has a long
narrow beak, large round eye and thin legs. The feathers
are marked with streaks. This sketch has been
tentatively identified by A. Page as a Senegal stone
curlew, a modern resident of both the Nile Delta and
Upper Egypt. However, this species of wading bird is not
known elsewhere in ancient Egyptian iconography (see, for
example, P.F. Houlihan, The Birds of Ancient Egypt [Cairo,
1988]). On the other hand, W.H. Peck has suggested that
this figure may depict a quail chick, which does seem a
far more plausible identification. If so, this ostrakon
would then most likely be a practice piece of a standard
hieroglyphic sign.
Height: 13.9 cm
Length: 13.7 cm
UC33222
Vulture
Possibly Ramesside Period, 1295-1069 BC
Limestone
Black pigment
Drawing of a large vulture facing right, with its neck out
stretched, head down, and with its wings slightly spread.
The bird appears to be grasping prey in its talons and
beak. The outline of the bird is represented in black ink;
the prey is filled in with reddish-brown wash, perhaps to
imitate blood. This detail is quite extraordinary. Large
vultures are only rarely portrayed in Egyptian art feeding
(see, for example, P.F. Houlihan, The Birds of Ancient
Egypt [Cairo, 1988]). The only other instance of it, which
immediately comes to mind, is on the famous Late
Predynastic (Naqada III) "Battlefield Palette," now in the
British Museum, London pictured on the left). It is,
therefore, tempting to see this as a work of spontaneity,
executed by a draughtsman who had witnessed this
activity. The bird can be identified as either the Griffin
Vulture or the more powerful Lappet-faced Vulture. In
ancient Egypt, vultures were common as hieroglyphic signs:
determinative for nrt (vulture), and a phonetic value for Mt
. A large vulture also represented the goddess Nekhbet of
El-Kab.
Height: 9.8 cm
Length: 11.8 cm
Vulture
Possibly Ramesside Period, 1295-1069 BC
Limestone
Black pigment
Drawing of a large vulture facing right, with its neck out
stretched, head down, and with its wings slightly spread.
The bird appears to be grasping prey in its talons and
beak. The outline of the bird is represented in black ink;
the prey is filled in with reddish-brown wash, perhaps to
imitate blood. This detail is quite extraordinary. Large
vultures are only rarely portrayed in Egyptian art feeding
(see, for example, P.F. Houlihan, The Birds of Ancient
Egypt [Cairo, 1988]). The only other instance of it, which
immediately comes to mind, is on the famous Late
Predynastic (Naqada III) "Battlefield Palette," now in the
British Museum, London pictured on the left). It is,
therefore, tempting to see this as a work of spontaneity,
executed by a draughtsman who had witnessed this
activity. The bird can be identified as either the Griffin
Vulture or the more powerful Lappet-faced Vulture. In
ancient Egypt, vultures were common as hieroglyphic signs:
determinative for nrt (vulture), and a phonetic value for Mt
. A large vulture also represented the goddess Nekhbet of
El-Kab.
Height: 9.8 cm
Length: 11.8 cm
Ostraka displaying motives of mammals
UC33200
Fighting bulls
New Kingdom, 1550-1350 BC
Limestone
Black pigment
Drawing of two bulls facing each other. Their
heads are down and their horns are
interlocked. The ground is indicated by a line.
Above the bull on the right side, there is a
man facing left, striding out, his right arm
raised. He wears a short kilt. His head is
missing.
Height: 13.1 cm
Width: 16 cm
Fighting bulls
New Kingdom, 1550-1350 BC
Limestone
Black pigment
Drawing of two bulls facing each other. Their
heads are down and their horns are
interlocked. The ground is indicated by a line.
Above the bull on the right side, there is a
man facing left, striding out, his right arm
raised. He wears a short kilt. His head is
missing.
Height: 13.1 cm
Width: 16 cm
UC33209
Leaping bull and a duck
Late 18th dynasty, Amarna Period
Potsherd
Black ink
Lively drawing of a young bull leaping towards
the right. A pintail duck is flying above, also
facing to the right.
Similar motives were found at palaces at
Amarna and at Malqata.
Height: 6.1 cm
Width: 12 cm
Leaping bull and a duck
Late 18th dynasty, Amarna Period
Potsherd
Black ink
Lively drawing of a young bull leaping towards
the right. A pintail duck is flying above, also
facing to the right.
Similar motives were found at palaces at
Amarna and at Malqata.
Height: 6.1 cm
Width: 12 cm
UC33199
Bovine-deity
Limestone
Black ink
The bull or a cow is standing and facing right. There
is a sun-disk between his/her horns. The disk is
drawn frontally. Smudged beneath the body. The
drawing is very crude and it is difficult to establish
which bovine-deity is represented here.
Height: 11.3 cm
Width: 14.4 cm
Bovine-deity
Limestone
Black ink
The bull or a cow is standing and facing right. There
is a sun-disk between his/her horns. The disk is
drawn frontally. Smudged beneath the body. The
drawing is very crude and it is difficult to establish
which bovine-deity is represented here.
Height: 11.3 cm
Width: 14.4 cm
UC33206
Head of a donkey and Amun
New Kingdom, 1550-1350 BC
Potsherd
Black ink
A drawing of a donkey's head facing left. One pair of
ears is long and pointed, then lower at the back of
the head there is another ear added. Below the
donkey's head there are several more motives: two
wide horizontal lines joined together by a herringbone
design, upper part of a figure of the god Amun with a
long beard and wearing the crown with double plumes
and holding a w3s-sceptre. In front of the donkey
there is a fragment of a possible bowl, again with a
herringbone design.
The herringbone design was used to show the veining
seen in travertine (Egyptian alabaster).
W.H. Pecks (Peck, 1985, p. 16) suggests the drawing
to be some horned animal with the ear correctly
placed behind the head. The zigzag line at the top of
the head might indicate horn sockets but the horns
are badly resolved. It could be a head of bubalis (an
antelope). Donkeys' muzzles are usually depicted with
their characteristic thickness. The identification is
supported by a parallel from the Ashmolean Museum,
Oxford: Head of bubalis (antelope) No. 1938.913,
where the head is executed in a strikingly similar way
but the horns are those of an antelope.
Height: 13.5 cm
Width: 13.9 cm
Head of a donkey and Amun
New Kingdom, 1550-1350 BC
Potsherd
Black ink
A drawing of a donkey's head facing left. One pair of
ears is long and pointed, then lower at the back of
the head there is another ear added. Below the
donkey's head there are several more motives: two
wide horizontal lines joined together by a herringbone
design, upper part of a figure of the god Amun with a
long beard and wearing the crown with double plumes
and holding a w3s-sceptre. In front of the donkey
there is a fragment of a possible bowl, again with a
herringbone design.
The herringbone design was used to show the veining
seen in travertine (Egyptian alabaster).
W.H. Pecks (Peck, 1985, p. 16) suggests the drawing
to be some horned animal with the ear correctly
placed behind the head. The zigzag line at the top of
the head might indicate horn sockets but the horns
are badly resolved. It could be a head of bubalis (an
antelope). Donkeys' muzzles are usually depicted with
their characteristic thickness. The identification is
supported by a parallel from the Ashmolean Museum,
Oxford: Head of bubalis (antelope) No. 1938.913,
where the head is executed in a strikingly similar way
but the horns are those of an antelope.
Height: 13.5 cm
Width: 13.9 cm
UC26937
Galloping horse
New Kingdom, dynasty 18th until dynasty 19th,
1550-1186 BC
Potsherd
Red and black pigment
Figure of a galloping horse, facing left. The horse
is painted with red pigment. The legs of the
animal are missing. Behind the horse there is a
drawing in black of part of a chariot and reins
that lead the horse.
Height: 10.7 cm
Width: 16.5 cm
Galloping horse
New Kingdom, dynasty 18th until dynasty 19th,
1550-1186 BC
Potsherd
Red and black pigment
Figure of a galloping horse, facing left. The horse
is painted with red pigment. The legs of the
animal are missing. Behind the horse there is a
drawing in black of part of a chariot and reins
that lead the horse.
Height: 10.7 cm
Width: 16.5 cm
UC33215
Lion
Possibly Ramesside Period
Limestone
Red and black pigment
Verso: drawing of a lion facing right, waiting to strike. He crouches on his front legs with his head
down. A ground line is indicated. Above the lion's body is the figure of a man with his leg advanced and
his arms raised as if in a hunting position.
W.H. Pecks suggests that rather than the lion crouched to pounce, this lion seems to be in the act of
expiring. The line from his mouth might be an indication of the tongue extended in death.
Recto: drawing of a lion striding out towards right, with his head up and his mouth open.
We possess evidence that lions were tamed in ancient Egypt. New Kingdom pharaohs are often shown in
the company of a docile lion. They are portrayed lying beside the throne or running along the royal
horses and chariots. These scenes might bear symbolic significance and emphasise the strength of the
king, but the evidence shows lions were serviceable creatures to the ancient Egyptians.
Height: 16.1 cm
Width: 12.3 cm
Lion
Possibly Ramesside Period
Limestone
Red and black pigment
Verso: drawing of a lion facing right, waiting to strike. He crouches on his front legs with his head
down. A ground line is indicated. Above the lion's body is the figure of a man with his leg advanced and
his arms raised as if in a hunting position.
W.H. Pecks suggests that rather than the lion crouched to pounce, this lion seems to be in the act of
expiring. The line from his mouth might be an indication of the tongue extended in death.
Recto: drawing of a lion striding out towards right, with his head up and his mouth open.
We possess evidence that lions were tamed in ancient Egypt. New Kingdom pharaohs are often shown in
the company of a docile lion. They are portrayed lying beside the throne or running along the royal
horses and chariots. These scenes might bear symbolic significance and emphasise the strength of the
king, but the evidence shows lions were serviceable creatures to the ancient Egyptians.
Height: 16.1 cm
Width: 12.3 cm
Ostraka displaying motives of beetles and insects
UC35811
Scarab beetle and hieroglyphs
New Kingdom, 1550-1350 BC
Limestone
Black ink
Drawing of the top of a scarab beetle (Scarabeus sacer)
with its body, legs and head competently drawn. A
vertical column of hieroglyphs runs down the right side
of the ostrakon. The inscription reads: (ntr) nfr nb
t3wy nb ir ht = Good (god), lord of the two lands, lord
who makes everything
Height: 7.1 cm
Width: 5.3 cm
Scarab beetle and hieroglyphs
New Kingdom, 1550-1350 BC
Limestone
Black ink
Drawing of the top of a scarab beetle (Scarabeus sacer)
with its body, legs and head competently drawn. A
vertical column of hieroglyphs runs down the right side
of the ostrakon. The inscription reads: (ntr) nfr nb
t3wy nb ir ht = Good (god), lord of the two lands, lord
who makes everything
Height: 7.1 cm
Width: 5.3 cm
UC33231
Wasp or a bee and a grasshopper
New Kingdom, 1550-1350 BC
Limestone
Red pigment
Verso: drawing in red pigment of a wasp or a bee on the left and a grasshopper on the right.
The left image is drawn in greater detail. The body is striped, there are four legs with feet,
long antennae, and a pair of wings. The image of the grasshopper is fainter and more
schematically drawn. Only the body and the long bent leg are depicted.
Recto: a drawing of another grasshopper in red pigment. Again schematically drawn with
antennae, long bent leg and the long closed wings.
Height: 16.4 cm
Width: 13.1 cm
Wasp or a bee and a grasshopper
New Kingdom, 1550-1350 BC
Limestone
Red pigment
Verso: drawing in red pigment of a wasp or a bee on the left and a grasshopper on the right.
The left image is drawn in greater detail. The body is striped, there are four legs with feet,
long antennae, and a pair of wings. The image of the grasshopper is fainter and more
schematically drawn. Only the body and the long bent leg are depicted.
Recto: a drawing of another grasshopper in red pigment. Again schematically drawn with
antennae, long bent leg and the long closed wings.
Height: 16.4 cm
Width: 13.1 cm
Ostraka displaying motives of reptiles
UC33232
Crocodile
New Kingdom, dynasty 18th until dynasty 19th,
1550-1186 BC
Potsherd
Black pigment
Drawing of a tail and back leg of a crocodile. The artist
tried to express some of the characteristics of the
crocodile, such as the dorsal plates and the back foot.
The drawing could either be part of a representation of
the god Sobek who manifested himself either as a human
with a crocodile head or completely in animal form, or it
may have been a draft intended to be used in the
decoration of a tomb wall, as the crocodile is sometimes
depicted in such scenes as the deceased hunting in the
marshes.
Treated at the Institute of Archaeology.
Height: 7.2 cm
Length: 7.9 cm
Crocodile
New Kingdom, dynasty 18th until dynasty 19th,
1550-1186 BC
Potsherd
Black pigment
Drawing of a tail and back leg of a crocodile. The artist
tried to express some of the characteristics of the
crocodile, such as the dorsal plates and the back foot.
The drawing could either be part of a representation of
the god Sobek who manifested himself either as a human
with a crocodile head or completely in animal form, or it
may have been a draft intended to be used in the
decoration of a tomb wall, as the crocodile is sometimes
depicted in such scenes as the deceased hunting in the
marshes.
Treated at the Institute of Archaeology.
Height: 7.2 cm
Length: 7.9 cm
Ostraka displaying various shapes
UC33252
Rectangles of various shapes
New Kingdom, 1550-1350 BC
Limestone
Black ink
Drawings on both sides. Recto: traces of
rectangular wall, basket-shape with zigzag line near
the top, standing man facing right, his left arm is
stretched out and his right arm is bent. He wears a
short wig and a wrap-over garment. There are
traces of butcher's block on the right. Below the
block there are faint traces of possibly a seated
person.
Anthea Page (Page, 1983, p. 56) suggests that all
the shapes appear in hieroglyphic writing and that
they could have been student's exercise: ideogram or
determinative in inb "wall" [Gardiner O36], wicker
basket with a handle, for unknown reason phonetic k
[Gardiner V31], butcher's block is semi-ideogram in
hr "under" [Gardiner T28], and a man of rank seated
on a chair is a determinative for a revered person
[Gardiner A50 or 51].
Rectangles of various shapes
New Kingdom, 1550-1350 BC
Limestone
Black ink
Drawings on both sides. Recto: traces of
rectangular wall, basket-shape with zigzag line near
the top, standing man facing right, his left arm is
stretched out and his right arm is bent. He wears a
short wig and a wrap-over garment. There are
traces of butcher's block on the right. Below the
block there are faint traces of possibly a seated
person.
Anthea Page (Page, 1983, p. 56) suggests that all
the shapes appear in hieroglyphic writing and that
they could have been student's exercise: ideogram or
determinative in inb "wall" [Gardiner O36], wicker
basket with a handle, for unknown reason phonetic k
[Gardiner V31], butcher's block is semi-ideogram in
hr "under" [Gardiner T28], and a man of rank seated
on a chair is a determinative for a revered person
[Gardiner A50 or 51].
UC33217
Head and shoulders of a child
New Kingdom, 1550-1350 BC
Limestone
Black and red ink
Head and shoulders of a female child, with her fingers
held to her mouth. She wears a braided sidelock of
youth with a hair-ring keeping it in order, streamers
down the back of her head, and a large round ear-stud
decorated with a cross. Lines on her upper arm may
indicate a pleated loose piece of garment.
The drawing is of a noble or royal child. The ear-studs
were a fashion introduced during Amarna Period. The
drawing is carefully executed (page, 1983, p. 35).
Height: 3.2 cm
Width: 5 cm
Head and shoulders of a child
New Kingdom, 1550-1350 BC
Limestone
Black and red ink
Head and shoulders of a female child, with her fingers
held to her mouth. She wears a braided sidelock of
youth with a hair-ring keeping it in order, streamers
down the back of her head, and a large round ear-stud
decorated with a cross. Lines on her upper arm may
indicate a pleated loose piece of garment.
The drawing is of a noble or royal child. The ear-studs
were a fashion introduced during Amarna Period. The
drawing is carefully executed (page, 1983, p. 35).
Height: 3.2 cm
Width: 5 cm
UC33243
Face of a man
New Kingdom, 1550-1350 BC
Potsherd
Black ink
Drawing of a face of a man with frontal aspect. He
has got long wavy hair parted in the centre, large,
asymmetrically drawn eyes, thin nose and wide
rectangular mouth. The marks to the right of the
head are unidentifiable.
Height: 9.8 cm
Length: 12.4 cm
Face of a man
New Kingdom, 1550-1350 BC
Potsherd
Black ink
Drawing of a face of a man with frontal aspect. He
has got long wavy hair parted in the centre, large,
asymmetrically drawn eyes, thin nose and wide
rectangular mouth. The marks to the right of the
head are unidentifiable.
Height: 9.8 cm
Length: 12.4 cm
UC33219
Head of a king
New Kingdom, Ramesside Period, 1295-1069 BC
Limestone
Drawing in black ink with the preliminary sketch
in red.
Drawing of a profile of a head of a pharaoh
facing left. The eye and shoulders are drawn
frontally. The lower part of the crown is
visible, also traces of a wide collar.
Height: 8.1 cm
Length: 10.6 cm
Head of a king
New Kingdom, Ramesside Period, 1295-1069 BC
Limestone
Drawing in black ink with the preliminary sketch
in red.
Drawing of a profile of a head of a pharaoh
facing left. The eye and shoulders are drawn
frontally. The lower part of the crown is
visible, also traces of a wide collar.
Height: 8.1 cm
Length: 10.6 cm
UC33204
Pharaoh smiting a captive
New Kingdom, Ramesside Period, 1295-1069
BC
Limestone
Black ink
Drawing of a Pharaoh smiting a fleeing captive.
Both figures face toward the right. The king
holds a club in his right hand. He holds his
captive's throat with his left hand. The king
wears a wig, uraeus and a long pleated skirt.
There are traces of a canopy over the figure
of the king.
Height: 13 cm
Width: 11 cm
Pharaoh smiting a captive
New Kingdom, Ramesside Period, 1295-1069
BC
Limestone
Black ink
Drawing of a Pharaoh smiting a fleeing captive.
Both figures face toward the right. The king
holds a club in his right hand. He holds his
captive's throat with his left hand. The king
wears a wig, uraeus and a long pleated skirt.
There are traces of a canopy over the figure
of the king.
Height: 13 cm
Width: 11 cm
UC33241
Face of a man
Potsherd
Black ink
Trial piece with various figures. From top left to right:
1. seated figure of a child with sidelock, facing right,
with left hand held forward and right hand at its side.
2. face of a man with a square beard and large ears.
The face is drawn frontally
3. outline of an oracular bust facing toward right
Bottom left to right:
4. kneeling figure wearing a heavy wig, and facing right
5. ibis facing right, and before it two parallel lines
Height: 8.1 cm
Width: 10.2 cm
Face of a man
Potsherd
Black ink
Trial piece with various figures. From top left to right:
1. seated figure of a child with sidelock, facing right,
with left hand held forward and right hand at its side.
2. face of a man with a square beard and large ears.
The face is drawn frontally
3. outline of an oracular bust facing toward right
Bottom left to right:
4. kneeling figure wearing a heavy wig, and facing right
5. ibis facing right, and before it two parallel lines
Height: 8.1 cm
Width: 10.2 cm
UC33208
Summary drawings
19th dynasty, 1295-1186 BC
Possibly from Deir el-Medina
Potsherd
Drawings in black ink on both sides of the ostrakon
of stick-like figures
Concave side: three registers of figures. Top
register: a seated god or king in front of an
offering table. A royal figure stands on the right
side of the table, holding out an offering in his
right hand and an 'nh-sign in his left. Smaller
figures, mainly obliterated, follow behind him.
Middle register: two seated figures with five
standing figures in front of them. Each one stands
in a different pose, two figures on the right hold
bows. Bottom register: four men standing in
different poses, the two on the right are holding
bows.
Summary drawings
19th dynasty, 1295-1186 BC
Possibly from Deir el-Medina
Potsherd
Drawings in black ink on both sides of the ostrakon
of stick-like figures
Concave side: three registers of figures. Top
register: a seated god or king in front of an
offering table. A royal figure stands on the right
side of the table, holding out an offering in his
right hand and an 'nh-sign in his left. Smaller
figures, mainly obliterated, follow behind him.
Middle register: two seated figures with five
standing figures in front of them. Each one stands
in a different pose, two figures on the right hold
bows. Bottom register: four men standing in
different poses, the two on the right are holding
bows.
Convex side: two registers of figures but barely
recognisable. Top register: male figure in a short kilt
walking toward the right. Little trace of the other figures.
Height: 14 cm
Width: 10.5 cm
recognisable. Top register: male figure in a short kilt
walking toward the right. Little trace of the other figures.
Height: 14 cm
Width: 10.5 cm
Anthea Page suggests that the bottom rectangle
may represent the piece of cloth - ideogram or
determinative in si3t "piece of cloth with fringe"
[Gardiner S32]. The sandal was used as an
ideogram or determinative in tbt "sandal"
[Gardiner S32]. Page also suggests the star to
be ideogram or determinative in sb3 "star"
[Gardiner N14].
Jac Janssen (Jansse, 2008. p. 89) suggests a
different explanation for ostraka with pictures
of garments. He suggests they functioned as
laundry lists, made by illiterate housewives.
Janssen points out that if the rectangle with the
fringes represented the sign S32, then the other
two rectangles could be explained as signs N37,
"garden pool". He argues that the presence of
sandals rather suggests items of dress.
Height: 10.2 cm
Length: 11.5 cm
may represent the piece of cloth - ideogram or
determinative in si3t "piece of cloth with fringe"
[Gardiner S32]. The sandal was used as an
ideogram or determinative in tbt "sandal"
[Gardiner S32]. Page also suggests the star to
be ideogram or determinative in sb3 "star"
[Gardiner N14].
Jac Janssen (Jansse, 2008. p. 89) suggests a
different explanation for ostraka with pictures
of garments. He suggests they functioned as
laundry lists, made by illiterate housewives.
Janssen points out that if the rectangle with the
fringes represented the sign S32, then the other
two rectangles could be explained as signs N37,
"garden pool". He argues that the presence of
sandals rather suggests items of dress.
Height: 10.2 cm
Length: 11.5 cm
| In my opinion, Janssen's theory could be supported by the star appearing on the right below the sandal. There are various marks on ostraka and pottery from Deir el-Medina, that could represent house marks or ownership marks. Although the marks varied in shapes, this explanation could help solving the mystery of the sign in one of the workmen's huts on the top of the cliffs. |
| UC33256 Osiris New Kingdom Limestone Black pigment |
UC33190
Lion-headed goddess and a
worshipping figure
New Kingdom, around 1550-1350 BC
Possibly from Deir el-Medina
Limestone (more dense)
Red pigment
Lion-headed goddess and a
worshipping figure
New Kingdom, around 1550-1350 BC
Possibly from Deir el-Medina
Limestone (more dense)
Red pigment
| W.H. Peck (Peck, 1985, p. 16) suggests this is a part of the process by which the artist planned the layout of a large wall decoration. This short-hand notation seems suitable for this step in the development of a composition, and as such gives valuable insight into the working processes of the ancient artist. |
| These drawings seem to be practice work of an apprentice who was employed in the tomb or temple wall decorating. They all would have been motifs familiar to the ancient Egyptian artist. The seated figure of a child, was used as determinative in "be young" and "child" [Gardiner's A17]. The face of a man was used as ideogram of hr "face" [Gardiner's D2]. The kneeling figure is similar in posture to the hieroglyphic sign of a noble squatting with a flagellum, used as determinative for revered persons [Gardiner's A52]. The sacred ibis was used as determinative in hb "ibis" and as determinative in Dhwty "Thoth" [Gardiner's G26]. |
The Battlefield Palette
British Museum, London, EA 20791
Perhaps from Abydos
Late Predynastic period, around 3150 BC
Length: 28 cm
Width: 20 cm
British Museum, London, EA 20791
Perhaps from Abydos
Late Predynastic period, around 3150 BC
Length: 28 cm
Width: 20 cm