museum treasure 185 egyptian cairo seated statue sekhmet with cartouches amenhotep iii

navigate by keyword : 1295 1550 18th amenhotep ankh artistic bce belief cairo cartouches craftsmanship culture disk divinity dynasty egypt egyptian evidence goddess granite healing heart iii inscription karnak lily lower lung majesty museum mut papyrus physical political red religious seated sekhmet solar statue style symbol temple unity upper uraeus war water

[Museum treasure 185]Egyptian Museum in Cairo,Seated statue of Sekhmet with cartouches of Amenhotep III Royalty Free Stock Photo

[Museum treasure 185]Egyptian Museum in Cairo,Seated statue of Sekhmet with cartouches of Amenhotep III

In the glorious treasure - house of ancient Egyptian religious art, the Seated statue of Sekhmet with cartouches of Amenhotep III is a gem of great historical and religious value. Carved from red granite, this seated statue dates back to the 18th Dynasty (1550 - 1295 BCE), was unearthed from the Mut Temple at Karnak, and is now treasured in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo.Sekhmet was a powerful and majestic goddess in ancient Egyptian mythology, often regarded as the goddess of war and healing. Pharaoh Amenhotep III of the 18th Dynasty built numerous statues of her, aiming to appease the goddess and harness her power to protect the country. This seated statue was unearthed from the Mut Temple at Karnak. The goddess holds the Ankh symbol, which represents life, in her left hand. The solar disk and the uraeus on her head highlight her divinity and majesty. The papyrus, water lily, and the heart - lung symbol carved on the side of the seat signify the unity of Upper and Lower Egypt.The inscriptions on the seated statue are also profound. The left - side inscription praises the goodness and blessings of the deity, while the right - side inscription showcases the pharaoh's identity and being loved by the deity. Artistically, the red granite material endows the seated statue with a sense of solemnity, and the exquisite carving techniques fully demonstrate the superb skills of ancient Egyptian craftsmen. It is not only a concrete manifestation of religious beliefs but also important physical evidence for studying ancient Egyptian religious culture, artistic styles, and political symbols. It leads us through time and space to appreciate the unique charm of the intertwining of ancient Egyptian religion and royal power.