Egyptian Museum Reproductions #5

This palette commemorates the victories of King Narmer, also known as Menes, the first Pharaoh and unifier of Upper and Lower Egypt. The upper part has on both sides, the bovine heads of the Goddess Hathor. The front side shows the king brandishing a mace, poised to smite a prisoner. This symbolizes the triumph of order over chaos. In front of Namer, the Horus falcon, protector of the Kingship, holds a prisoner by a rope. Below are shown two slain enemies. The back side shows the king escorted by standard bearers, approaching the temple of Horus and inspecting the beheaded corpses of enemies. The two beasts in the central part represent the two rival halves of the land now subdued. At the bottom, the king is potrayed as a bull destroying a captured fortress. The events commemorated here, led to the unification of the country, the beginnings of hieroglyphics writing and devine representations, and therefore render this palette one of the most famous and important pieces in Egyptian history.

Material: Casting Stone

Finish: Black Basalt

Egyptian: Egyptian Museum, Cairo, Dynasty I, 3200BC

Size: 11.5H", Marble Base