The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of December 6, 2023

Domestic Shrine

c. 1479–1425 BC

Egypt, Thebes(?), New Kingdom (1540–1069 BCE), Dynasty 18, reign of Tuthmosis III

(1479–1425 BCE)

Limestone, originally painted

Overall: 42.4 x 27.4 x 9 cm (16 11/16 x 10 13/16 x 3 9/16 in.)

Gift of the John Huntington Art and Polytechnic Trust 1920.2002

Location

107 Egyptian

Description

Used in the home like an icon, this shrine was originally provided with two wooden doors, hinged at each side and bolted in the center. The upper and lower sockets for the pivots of these doors still survive. The worshiper opened the doors to reveal the representation of King Tuthmosis III seated in front of an offering table. The hieroglyphic inscription at the base tells us that the shrine was made for the tomb worker Amenemheb. The carving is clearly in the style of Tuthmosis III’s reign, showing that such objects of private veneration were produced during the king‘s lifetime.

Provenance
Probably Theban area. Purchased from Jusef Hasan, Luxor, through Howard Carter
Citations
Berman, Lawrence M., and Kenneth J. Bohač. Catalogue of Egyptian Art: The Cleveland Museum of Art. Cleveland, OH: Cleveland Museum of Art, 1999 Reproduced: p. 217; Mentioned: p. 217-218
Exhibition history

Boston/Houston/Baltimore 1982-83, p. 298, no. 407 (entry by Lynn H. Holden)
Gainesville, FL: University of Florida. Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art. "Intimate Rituals and Personal Devotions: Spiritual Art Through the Ages" 8/12/00 - 1/14/01

The Cleveland Museum of Art (3/13/16-6/12/16) "Pharaoh: King of Ancient Egypt" Cat. pg. 85 fig.49.

Exhibition of the Month: Egypt. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (October 3-December 28, 1952).

Intimate Rituals and Personal Devotions: Spiritual Art Through the Ages. Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art, Gainesville, FL (organizer) (July 16, 2000-January 14, 2001).

Pharaoh: King of Ancient Egypt. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (March 13-June 12, 2016).

Source URL: https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1920.2002