Composite Papyrus Capital
This capital was set atop one of the ten columns of a kiosk built in front of the temple of Amun at Hibis in Kharga Oasis. It is an early example of a composite capital, which included several kinds of plants combined into a design that, with time, became increasingly more elaborate and fanciful. Here, the composition is still rather simple, consisting of two cyperus species: eight plants of the common papyrus (Cyperus papyrus, above) alternating with eight foxtail flatsedge plants (Cyperus alopecuroides, below). The capital still shows remnants of its original paint.
Artwork Details
- Title: Composite Papyrus Capital
- Period: Late Period
- Dynasty: Dynasty 30
- Reign: reign of Nectanebo I and II
- Date: 380–343 B.C.
- Geography: From Egypt, Western Desert; Kharga Oasis, Hibis, Temple, Entrance kiosk, MMA excavations, 1909–10
- Medium: Sandstone, paint
- Dimensions: H. 126 cm (49 5/8 in.)
- Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1910
- Object Number: 10.177.2
- Curatorial Department: Egyptian Art
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