Sculpture
Egyptian "Captives"
Egyptian
replicas: by artist Carrie Allen
gift of: the Nasser Family
date of the original: 1160 BC
provenance of the original: temple of Pharaoh Rameses III, Medinet Habu; now in the Egyptian Museum, Cairo
description: Floor tiles depicting five different representatives of subjugated peoples. Plaster replicas; ivory originals. Each: height 16-18 cm, width 4-5 cm, depth 2 cm.
These five ivory reliefs are floor tiles from the temple of Pharaoh Rameses III at Medinet Habu. Each represents, through hairstyle, clothing and skin colour, one of five different tribes over which Egypt held sway. From left to right, top to bottom: Libyan, Nubian, Syrian, Bedouin, Hittite.