Fragment of a tile from the steps of a dais

New Kingdom, Ramesside

ca. 1279–1213 B.C.

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 122

This tile once decorated the palace of Ramesses II in Piramesse, which he made into one of the greatest royal cities of ancient Egypt. Thanks to the royal favor and its strategic location, Piramesse soon became an important international trade center and a cosmopolitan metropolis, boasting a harbor, a military base, and temples dedicated to various gods. Based on the tiles, we can still reconstruct quite a number of the features of the palace that are now completely lost, including throne podiums, steps, windows of appearance and faience sculptures. This tile may belong to the side a stairway leading up to the throne platform, whose steps were adorned with depictions of prostrate foreign captives alternating with representations of the Nine Bows that stood for the traditional enemies of Egypt.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

Title: Fragment of a tile from the steps of a dais
Period: New Kingdom, Ramesside
Dynasty: Dynasty 19
Reign: reign of Ramesses II
Date: ca. 1279–1213 B.C.
Geography: From Egypt, Eastern Delta, Qantir (Piramesse), Palace of Ramesses II
Medium: Faience
Dimensions: L. 9.5 cm (3 3/4 in.), W. 5.3 cm (2 1/16 in.), D. 3 cm (1 3/16 in.)
Credit Line: Purchase, Rogers Fund, Edward S. Harkness Gift and by exchange, 1922, 1929, 1935
Object Number: 35.1.5
Curatorial Department: Egyptian Art

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