The Ancient World- Egypt
CHAIR OF HETEPHERES
Approximately 2600 B.C.
Egyptian Museum, Cairo
This low chair has a wide seat that slopes toward the back. In the side panels of the high arms are three carved papyrus flowers bound together. The front and back legs are shaped like the legs of a lion. They are supported by beaded drums. The oldest existing chair, it was reconstructed with parts of the original.
CHAIR
OF PRINCESS SITAMUN
Approximately 1400 B.C.
Egyptian Museum, Cairo
This chair has significant features of its own. The backrest is slanted and shaped, forming an open triangle with the straight back and the seat. The curved shape of the arms, leg stretchers, woven seat, and the elaborate gold decorations and carving are all distinctive. This chair is a copy of the original.
THRONE
OF KING TUTANKHAMON
Approximately 1352 B.C.
Egyptian Museum, Cairo
This is a golden throne of Tutankhamon. Sheet gold is worked around a wooden base and inlaid with faience, colored glass, lapis lazuli and calcite. The king and queen are sensitively portrayed on the shaped back. The arms are filled with winged cobras.
WOODEN
CHAIR WITH GOLD-COVERED DECORATION
Approximately 1352 B.C.
Egyptian Museum, Cairo
The back panel has open carving. The seat curves up at the edges and down in the center, which is called a double cove. The lion's claws are carved in ivory.
CHAIR
OF SENNEDJEM
Approximately 1250 B.C.
This crudely built chair is completely painted.
PAINTED
AND GILDED STOOL
Approximately 1352 B.C.
Egyptian Museum, Cairo
This ornate stool has a deep double cove seat and intertwined grillwork between the legs.
BED
Approximately 1350 B.C.
Egyptian Museum, Cairo
Covered in a heavy sheet of gold, this bed has a slightly curved frame with woven mesh. The legs are shaped like the legs of a lion. The footboard (which is away from us) is carved with papyrus and lotus patterns. It is divided into three panels by binding rods that are based on the papyrus.
GILDED
LIONESS COUCH
Approximately 1350 B.C.
Egyptian Museum, Cairo
A lioness couch with carved heads and long curving tails.
WOODEN
TABLE
Approximately 1450 B.C.
British Museum, London
This is an uncommon three-legged table. Most Egyptian tables had four legs and were low and lightweight.
GAME
TABLE
Approximately 1350 B.C.
Egyptian Museum, Cairo
This is a game table called senmut and is made of ebony and ivory. When not in use, the pieces are stored inside the table.
PAINTED
CHEST
Approximately 1350 B.C.
Egyptian Museum, Cairo
This chest on four short legs is elaborately painted, showing Tutankhamon in battle against the Syrians. It was made to hold the king's sandals.
CHEST
ON LEGS
Approximately 1350 B.C.
Egyptian Museum, Cairo
This is an ebony and cedar chest on long slender legs. The form is emphasized by the gilded hieroglyphics.