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Tutankhamun: Anatomy of an Excavation
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Carter No.: 577

Handlist description: A Sekhem sceptre (gold, wooden core, embossed and cloisonné‚ ornament)

Card/Transcription No.: 577-1


577. A hrp SHM-SCEPTRE (GOLD; WOODEN CORE; EMBOSSED AND
CLOISONNÉ ORNAMENT)

POSITION: Found on floor, N.E. Corner of chamber, where it had been either dropped or thrown; under baskets Nos. 573, 565 (see photo 1148).

DIMENSIONS: Max. L. 54.0; Max. W. 6.6 cents.

DESCRIPTION: A <> 'shm-sceptre' of power; probably from the regalia; of gold, built up in five separate pieces upon a wooden core. The ornament upon it is of two kinds: embossed gold and cloisonné inlay - for details of these see Notes attached.

The inlay of the cloisonné work is composed of natural stones, faience and coloured glass. Here and there turquoise, lapis lazuli, green felspar, (?) malachite and always carnelian seemed to have been employed, and in their absence corresponding coloured faience (glazed ware) and glass has been used (more often than the natural stones).

REMARKS: The sceptre is slightly bent owing to strain of weight of objects cast upon it, the end knob much bent from ill-usage or possibly wear and tear.

Note For ideograms, etc., of similar sceptres see Gardiner, Eg. Gram; pp. 496, 558.

Card no. 577-1 relating to Carter no. 577
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Tutankhamun: Anatomy of an Excavation
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