Favorite Egyptian Pieces

I've decided to start up a new series here featuring ancient Egyptian "art" pieces on a semi-regular basis. At some point I will also put together a post explaining why I have art in quotation marks up there - today my brain is simply not up to it.

I thought I would inaugurate the series with one of my very favorite pieces from the tomb of Tutankhamun. The goddess statues from the canopic shrine - Isis, Selket, Neith, and Nephthys. The goddesses stand with their bodies toward the shrine, arms outstretched, faces to the side in a protective pose on the edges of the shrine containing Tutankhamun's preserved internal organs. The symbols on their heads indicate their identities. They wear very fine pleated linen gowns typical of the late 18th Dynasty. It is their faces in particular that I adore - the sweet, serene expressions are absolutely captivating to me.

Here is an image of the shrine itself in the Cairo Museum. Isis and Selket are visible:

And here is a closer view of Selket:
Personally, I think the finest photos of the Tutankhamun objects were probably taken by Harry Burton, the original expedition photographer "loaned" to Howard Carter by the Metropolitan Museum, New York. There is (or was) a traveling special exhibit of Burton's photos and there is also a lovely book featuring them.

Photo credits:

Photo of the outer canopic shrine by Gérard Ducher located at Wikimedia Commons

Photo of Selket by Snofru located at Wikimedia Commons

ceramic dish with glass melted in the base

ceramic dish with glass melted in the base
Originally uploaded by hodgepodgearts

I love this ceramic piece. The color variation and texture along with the wonderful effect of the melted glass is wonderful. It puts me in mind of volcano calderas and hot springs and reefs. Exquisite.

RoseTrellisComplete

RoseTrellisComplete
Originally uploaded by csfgirl

This is absolutely stunningly beautiful. And the effort and love that has to have gone into making this only adds to its beauty.
Last time I visited my parents, my dad shared a bedspread in a roughly similar style to this that my grandmother had worked on for years on and off.
I don't know if I'll ever get around to working with thread rather than yarn, but I can certainly stand in awe of the people who do.

"Tita De la Garza"

"Tita De la Garza"
Originally uploaded by du_buh_du_designs

I haven't featured a doll in some time, so I think this is a lovely one to revive interest with. Her features are lovely, as are the clothing and accessories. Even better, she's a character from a novel. I haven't read "Like Water for Chocolate" but I love it when people take inspiration from books.

Cinderella by Marina Bychkova

I've featured Marina Bychkova's amazing dolls here before and new work has just been uploaded to Flickr.  Her dolls are just breathtaking to me and Cinderella is no different - the distant, slightly frightened facial expression is very arresting and, as usual, the rest of the doll is exquisite.

cinderella-1 on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

cinderella-4

cinderella-9

Yet another Planeta Amigurumi piece

Matrioshka #3
Originally uploaded by Planeta Amigurumi

She's also very simple shapes, and the hair peeping out from the veil/shawl is so lovely, as is the gentle shading of her cheeks.

Another Planeta Amigurumi

kokeshi apaixonada
Originally uploaded by Planeta Amigurumi

Another amigurumi composed of fairly simple shapes to striking effect.

Simple Shapes = Amazing Results

kokeshi #1
Originally uploaded by Planeta Amigurumi

Planeta Amigurumi has posted some fabulous creations on Flickr. I especially like her use of fairly simple shapes to create very striking and lovely effects. No need to be overly elaborate when the work itself is done so well and the designs are so striking. Not to say that I don't like some of the elaborately detailed amigurumi I've seen with accessories, etc., but these are striking in their relative simplicity. I'm enjoying them both from an "oooh, amigurumi, cute!" perspective and an "oooh, artistic and minimalist" perspective.

Lounging Chameleon

Lounging Chameleon
Originally uploaded by hansigurumi

I love this chameleon and along with many others am eagerly awaiting a pattern. The pose, the colors, the subject - they're all wonderful. I can't decide whether I like the eye or the tail the best.

Nitocris - Enchanted Doll by Marina Bychkova

Nitocris - Enchanted Doll by Marina Bychkova

This particular doll has an Egyptian theme, so of course I like it, but Ms. Bychkova's work is so breathtakingly beautiful and detailed that I encourage everyone to spend some time browsing her gallery.