19/12/2021
🇪🇬☀️
👉 "This original container in the shape of a double cartouche was used to contain ointments. The base is made from silver, the containers from gold inlaid with colored glass paste [and semi-precious stones], and the lid is made in the form of two pairs of plumes with a sun disk united by two gold pieces that lie above the double balsam holder. The surfaces are richly decorated with symbolic images that celebrate the eternity of the kingdom and the life of the king."
Comand, Daniela in The Illustrated Guide to the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, The American University in Cairo Press, Cairo, Egypt, 2001.
This object was found in the tomb of King Tutankhamun, who reigned circa 1336-1327 BCE under the 18th Dynasty. The cartouches we see on this side of the container depict the king as a child crouching on the neb basket (the hieroglyph for 'all' or 'every', and 'lord' or 'master'). Above, two uraei emerge from a sun disk with the ankh sign of life hanging from each.
A depiction of the god Heh-the personification of infinity, usually in the temporal sense of eternity-is shown on the short side of the container. The formation on his head is composed of the neb basket, a scarab beetle and the sun disk; it spells the prenomen (i.e., throne name) of Tutankhamun and reads 'Neb-kheperu-re,' meaning 'Lordly Manifestation of [the sun god] Re.'
This masterpiece (JE 61496) is now in the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities, Cairo, Egypt. It will be displayed with the rest of Tutankhmaun's treasures in the new Grand Egyptian Museum when it opens its doors to visitors.
🇪🇬☀️