Royal Barge at its Mooring

New Kingdom, Amarna Period
ca. 1353–1336 B.C.
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 121
A scene at the riverbank is depicted. On the bank at the upper right can be seen a garden, with small squares devoted to different plants. A trellis with wine jars alongside can be seen indicating that grapes were also grown here. A waterbird flies by.

A royal barge with a large central cabin is shown below moored to the bank by ropes attached to two stakes at the bottom right. A stepped gangplank leads down to the shore. One sailor stands on the boat, while the second on the land above seems to be dragging the mast with sails to the royal boat.

On the boat itself there is a large two-tiered cabin with a uraeus cornice. An open structure is attached to the front. And at the forecastle of the boat is a separate kiosk typical of of royal boats. The small kiosk is decorated with a representation of Akhenaten smiting an enemy, with the Aten overhead and with Nefertiti and a princess standing behind.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Royal Barge at its Mooring
  • Period: New Kingdom, Amarna Period
  • Dynasty: Dynasty 18
  • Reign: reign of Akhenaten
  • Date: ca. 1353–1336 B.C.
  • Geography: From Egypt; Probably from Middle Egypt, Hermopolis (Ashmunein; Khemenu); Probably originally from Amarna (Akhetaten)
  • Medium: Limestone, paint
  • Dimensions: h. 24 cm. (9 7/16 in); w. 54.3 cm (21 7/16 in); d. 3.5 cm (1 3/8 in)
  • Credit Line: Gift of Norbert Schimmel, 1985
  • Object Number: 1985.328.15
  • Curatorial Department: Egyptian Art

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