Wood
circa 1250 BCE
Egypt
The British Museum
Details
Culture/Civilisation
Ancient Egypt
Theme
Writing
Subtheme
Deciphering Egyptian Hieroglyphs – The Rosetta Stone
Display Location
Coomaraswamy Hall
Findspot
(ancient Thebes), Karnak, Egypt
Measurements
40.2 x 5.7 x 1 cm
Accession Number
EA5515
Description
The palette belonged to Ptahmose, a ‘chief draughtsman’, and was found in his tomb. The title indicates a scribe who could write simplified cursive (Hieratic) script and also draw the more elaborate pictorial Hieroglyphs – both seen on this object.
Shaped to fit comfortably in the hand, the palette’s two hollows held dry cakes of black and red ink, the only colours needed for writing on papyrus. The long central slot held a set of reed pens. The scribe would also carry with him a pot of water to moisten the inks.
