Pectoral and Necklace of Sithathoryunet with the Name of Senwosret II
This cloisonné pectoral is inlaid with 372 carefully cut pieces of semiprecious stones. The heraldic design is replete with symbolism. 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 Senwosret 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 Wadjet, the traditional protector goddesses of the king. Supporting the royal cartouche is the kneeling god Heh clutching two palm ribs symbolizing "millions of years." Thus the king's life and existence in time are described as part of a universe created and sustained by the supreme sun god.
Jewelry worn by royal women during the Middle Kingdom was not simply for adornment or an indication of status but was also symbolic of concepts and myths surrounding Egyptian royalty. Jewelry imbued a royal woman with superhuman powers and thus enabled her to support the king in his role as guarantor of divine order on earth. It was essentially the king who benefited from the magical powers inherent in the jewelry worn by the female members of his family, which explains why his name, rather than that of the princess, appears in the designs.
Since the tomb of the princess was beside the pyramid of Senwosret, scholars speculate that she was his daughter. Other items in the tomb bear the name of Amenemhat III, suggesting that the princess lived during the reigns of three of the most powerful rulers of Dynasty 12: Senwosret II, Senwosret III, and Amenemhat III.
Artwork Details
- Title: Pectoral and Necklace of Sithathoryunet with the Name of Senwosret II
- Period: Middle Kingdom
- Dynasty: Dynasty 12
- Reign: reign of Senwosret II
- Date: ca. 1887–1878 B.C.
- Geography: From Egypt, Fayum Entrance Area, Lahun, Tomb of Sithathoryunet (BSA Tomb 8), BSAE excavations 1914
- Medium: Gold, carnelian, lapis lazuli, turquoise, garnet (pectoral)
Gold, carnelian, lapis lazuli, turquoise, green feldspar (necklace) - Dimensions: L. of necklace (b): 82 cm (32 5/16 in.); H. of pectoral (a): 4.5 cm (1 3/4 in.); W. 8.2 cm (3 1/4 in.)
- Credit Line: Purchase, Rogers Fund and Henry Walters Gift, 1916
- Object Number: 16.1.3a, b
- Curatorial Department: Egyptian Art
Audio
1123. Pectoral of Sithathoryunet
Gallery 111
[Music in]
This magnificent, beaded necklace has a small pectoral, or pendant, that hung over the chest. The gold pectoral features 374 colorful semiprecious stones. They form an intricate design, with a symbolic message.
The falcon on either side represents the sky god, Horus. Each of these birds has a disc over his head, representing the sun. A royal cobra coils around each disk. From each cobra hangs a cross-shaped symbol with a loop at the top. This sign, called the ankh, stood for life.
Between the falcons kneels a small, blue man. This is Heh, god of eternity. A symbol shaped like a tadpole hangs from Heh’s arm. This stands for the number one hundred thousand. Heh holds two palm ribs arching over his head. They stand for the word “years.” Together, these images express a wish for the sun god to grant life to King Senwosret the Second, who should reign for one hundred thousand years—in other words, forever.
Senwosret actually ruled for about nine years during the nineteenth century BC. This necklace and pectoral probably belonged to a member of the royal family, Princess Sithathoryunet. You can see more of her jewelry in the low case to the right.
[Music out]
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