Sandals and Finger and Toe Stalls

Photographer Harry Burton British

1925–26

Not on view

Tutankhamun's famous sandals of gold sheet were created specifically for the burial; it would have been impossible to walk in them. The metal shoes had been put on his feet before his body was wrapped. They were removed together with the gold finger and toe stalls when Tutankhamun's mummy was unwrapped in 1925. Such procedures were common at the time but are no longer practiced.

The gold sandals' shape mimics that of footwear made of plant material and used in life, many examples of which were deposited in the pharaoh's tomb as well (see TAA 934). This type of shoe was placed in the tombs of nonroyals as well.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

Title: Sandals and Finger and Toe Stalls
Photographer: Harry Burton (British (1879–1940))
Date: 1925–26
Medium: Gelatin silver print from glass negative
Credit Line: Department of Egyptian Art Archives
Object Number: TAA 599
Curatorial Department: Egyptian Art

More Artwork

By Harry Burton

From the same time and place

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Cleaning the Innermost Coffin, Harry Burton British, Gelatin silver print from glass negative — Cleaning the Innermost Coffin
Harry Burton
1925

Plant Bouquet, Harry Burton British, Gelatin silver print from glass negative — Plant Bouquet
Harry Burton
ca. 1923–24

Shroud and Flower Garlands on Upper Part of Tutankhamun’s Second Coffin, Harry Burton British, Gelatin silver print from glass negative — Shroud and Flower Garlands on Upper Part of Tutankhamun’s Second Coffin
Harry Burton
1925

Adult-sized Glove, Harry Burton British, Gelatin silver print from glass negative — Adult-sized Glove
Harry Burton
1927–30

Shroud and Flower Garlands on Lower Part of Tutankhamun’s Second Coffin, Harry Burton British, Gelatin silver print from glass negative — Shroud and Flower Garlands on Lower Part of Tutankhamun’s Second Coffin
Harry Burton
1925

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