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Egyptian Antiquities :
Archive : 18th Dynasty Alabaster Amphora Inscribed with the Royal Cartouche of Amenhotep II
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18th Dynasty Alabaster Amphora Inscribed with the Royal Cartouche of Amenhotep II - X.0446
Origin: Egypt
Circa: 1427
BC
to 1401
BC
Dimensions:
10.5" (26.7cm) high
Collection: Egyptian
Medium: Alabaster
Additional Information: SOLD. Art logic--Antiquarium, Ltd. (New York) 2003
Location: Great Britain
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| Description |
Alabaster is a fine-grained, massive,
translucent
variety of gypsum, a hydrous calcium
sulphate.
Alabaster occurs naturally in many
shades of
color, from pure white to reddish-tan.
Like all
other forms of gypsum, alabaster forms
by the
evaporation of bedded deposits that are
precipitated mainly from evaporating
seawater.
Indigenous to Egypt, alabaster has been
quarried
for more than seven thousand years from
a
source just a few miles behind the
Valley of the
Kings in ancient Thebes. This stone was
prized
by the pharaohs for its luminous
properties.
When held up to the light, the stone
absorbs the
glow and spreads it evenly throughout
its
structure, becoming almost translucent
if carved
thinly enough. The Ancient Egyptians
used this
wonderful material for many purposes,
including
household items, ritual objects, and for
a number
of different funerary uses such as
sarcophagi and
canopic jars.
Amenhotep II, also known by his Greek
name
Amenhophis, is believed to have been the
seventh ruler of the 18th Dynasty.
Although he is
sometimes overshadowed by his father
Tuthmosis III, with whom he may have
served a
co-regency as short as two years, his
reign is
considered to be pivotal by
Egyptologists. As a
young man, he was noted for his athletic
prowess. One particular achievement, his
legendary ability to shoot arrows
through a
copper plate while simultaneously
steering a
chariot, was recorded in numerous
inscriptions
including those at Giza and Thebes.
His athleticism certainly would have
aided the
young pharaoh on the battlefield, for
his
leadership was tested early on in his
reign.
Although the precise details are
contested, it is
clear that the Mediterranean ports of
Syria
rebelled shortly after hearing the news
of his
father’s death. Amenhotep led a campaign
that
reclaimed the lands across the Orontes
River and
secured his place as the rightful ruler
of Egypt.
With peace well established early on in
his reign,
the pharaoh embarked on an impressive
building
program, finishing the monuments and
temples
begun under his father as well as
starting several
of his own. Foremost among these
constructions
are the Temple of Horemakhet in Giza and
the
temple complex at Karnak.
This magnificent alabaster amphora with
two
handles features the royal cartouche of
Amenhotep II prominently carved onto the
front
of the body and highlighted with blue
pigment.
Clearly this vessel was once closely
associated
with this great pharaoh. Perhaps it was
presented to him as a gift in order to
secure his
favor. Perhaps he commissioned it
himself and
presented it to a victorious general as
a symbol
of his gratitude. Regardless, the
luxurious nature
of the alabaster and the refinement of
the
carving indicate that this amphora was
clearly fit
for a king.
- (X.0446)
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