Wall Tile from a Royal Funerary Structure
ca. 2675-2625 B.C.E.
Maker Unknown
Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art
Blue-green glazed rectangular tiles like these once decorated the walls of subterranean rooms beneath King Djoser’s Step Pyramid. As the first example of monumental stone architecture in Egypt, Djoser’s funerary complex was meant to provide the king’s spirit with an abode for eternity. The tiles imitated the hangings of reeds lashed together by horizontal cords that decorated palace walls during this king’s lifetime.
- Maker/Artist
- Maker Unknown
- Classification
- Tiles
- Formatted Medium
- Faience
- Medium
- faience
- Locations
- Place made: Saqqara, Egypt
- Dynasty
- Dynasty 3
- Period
- Early Old Kingdom
- Dimensions
- 2 5/16 × 1 1/2 × 9/16 in. (5.8 × 3.8 × 1.4 cm)
- Accession Number
- 34.1180a
- Credit Line
- Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund
- Exhibitions
- Egypt Reborn: Art for Eternity, Infinite Blue
- Rights Statement
- Creative Commons-BY
- Museum Location
- This item is not on view
Have a concern, a correction, or something to add?