Brick Stamped with a Circular Seal
Unknown Artist
ca. 1550–1295 B.C.
Medium
Pottery
Dimensions
H. 19 cm (7 1/2 in.); preserved W. 9 cm (3 9/16 in.); preserved D. 14.5 cm (5 11/16 in.)
Classification
Cone, brick, Davies 518, Hapuseneb
Period
New Kingdom
Department
Egyptian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Rogers Fund, 1915
Accession Number
15.10.42
Tags
Art Historical Context
This unassuming yet fascinating pottery brick, stamped with a circular seal, hails from Egypt's New Kingdom, specifically Dynasty 18 (ca. 1550–1295 B.C.), a age of imperial power and monumental architecture under pharaohs like Hatshepsut, Thutmose III, andhotep III. Measuring about 19 cm high, this fired clay fragment—likely from a larger mudbrick used in grand constructions such as temples or palaces—offers a tangible glimpse into ancient Egyptian building practices. Acquired by the Metropolitan Museum of Art through the Rogers Fund in 1915, it exemplifies everyday materials elevated by royal...