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The Pre-Dynastic Period (5000-3000 BCE) included the improvement in tools such as copper tools and flint blades to make art like pottery, palettes, and statues/figurines. These structures were made by common materials found(clay, ivory, stone). Towards the end of the period, burials with small coffins began to be made and used.
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The Bowl with Human Feet (3700-3450 BCE) is a pottery piece, as ceramics and clay was one of the main materials to make structures. As the bowl is tilted, which makes it easier to grab from, it may have been made this way to be placed on top of tombs for offerings to the dead, or offerings to a deity. Both deities and the death were respected and cared for. -
The Dynastic Period(3000-2686 BCE) marked the beginning of a unified Egypt. Art during this period was made to represent not only events and stories, but the new unification. Pieces were made of stone and continued the representation of kingship under guidance of deities, as the rulers were identified with hierarchical scale, and their clothing/headdress.
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The Palette of King Narmer (2950-2775 BCE) is a sunken relief made of siltstone that shares a story and has many interpretations. It was one of the few ritually buried palettes found, as connections to a deity was very important. This piece also represents the unification of Egypt and is seen to show Narmer's Divine Right to Rule under their deities by his scale and stance. -
The Old Kingdom(2686-2150 BCE) consisted of architecture, such as pyramids and tombs, as well as tomb pantings and sculptures dedicated to deities. Materials included use of stone, painted stone, and ivory. Art from this period was not made by slaves, but by the Egyptian people themselves.
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The Step Pyramid of Djoser (2681-2662 BCE) is made of limestone and is one of the many examples of the well known structure of pyramids. It was made by Imhotep by stacking mastabas on top of the other to form its shape instead of a regular mastaba tomb. This was made for King Djoser, as that is where his body were to be placed at the time of his death. -
The Meidum Geese (2575-2551 BCE) is tomb decoration and was painted on plaster instead of relief carving. This piece shows geese in a garden, but others include images of animals and representation of the kings/deities. This demonstrates the importance of tomb decorations, as they were used for safe traveling to the afterlife. -
King Sahure Accompanied by a Divine Figure (2458–2446 BCE) is made of gneiss and shows the relationship between the king and the deity. The deity is made smaller than the king with two falcons above his head, and is handing the king an ankh (life). These statues were placed in temples, displaying the Divine Right to Rule and support that kings received from deities. -
The Middle Kingdom(2030-1640 BCE) was known as the "Classical Age" and its art continued to grow in sculptures and tomb decorations. This art was made of different types of stone and pigments and represented the lives of the kings. Authority and power of the rulers were demonstrated to keep them seen and placed in a high status.
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The Statue of Lady Sennuwy (1971-1936 BCE) is made of granodiorite and shows her sitting on a chair with her hands on her lap holding a lotus. These type of statues were placed in the tombs and placed in sanctuaries. This piece has an inscription on the bottom to show her respect from Osiris and other deities. -
The Stela of Amenemhat and Hemet (1956-1877 BCE), made of limestone and pigment, is an example of reliefs used to honor kings, such as Amenemhat in the image. There is an emphasis on the king to show his importance and the composite form. The afterlife continues to play a big role, as there is writing on the top asking for food to be able to live in the afterlife. -
The Block Statue of Senwosret-senebefny (1836-1759 BCE) is made of quartzite and introduces the type of structure. Size continues to be enlarged to state power and dominance even if others also play a role (such as Senwosret-senebefny wife who is placed below him). Block statues, such as this one, show the figure seated with their knees bent and may be dedicated to temples. -
The New Kingdom (1550-1070 BCE) introduced the title "Pharaoh" to refer to Egypts rulers and introduced 18th Dynasty Pharaohs who played big roles. Art such as amulets, reliefs, and statues/sculptures were made from stone, faience, wood, gold, and much more. These structures represent art that the Pharaohs constructed sharing the stories of their ruling.
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The Amulet in the shape of a cartouche (1539-1075 BCE) is made with faience (glazed composition) and has a hole on both ends to allow it to be worn. It is one of the two amulets used for Aten and used as an object of protection. Amulets were sometimes placed inside the tomb as a continuation of protection into the afterlife. -
The Portrait Head of Queen Tiye (1355 BCE) is made of multiple materials including wood, gold, silver, Lapis lazuli, faience. She was the wife of Amenhotep III, and this portrait is more realistic, showing detail in the eyes, nose, and mouth. She is seen with gold on her ears/forehead to show her high status, and she is wearing a sun disk (may refer to religion centered around deity Aten). -
The House Altar depicting Akhenaten, Nefertiti and Three of their Daughters (1350 BCE), made of limestone, displays the relationship that Akhenaten and Nerferitti had with Aten. The relief shares how the whole family is seen as with a high status and rules Egypt. The composite form is continued to be used, but differs from other art because one only deity is present.