Foundation Deposit Plaque
Unknown Artist
ca. 1153–1147 B.C.
Medium
Faience
Dimensions
H. 2.4 cm (15/16 in.)
Classification
Foundation Deposit Plaque
Period
New Kingdom, Ramesside
Department
Egyptian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Rogers Fund, 1935
Accession Number
35.3.167
Art Historical Context
Welcome to the Egyptian Art galleries at the Metropolitan Museum of Art where we encounter the "Foundation Deposit Plaque," tiny yet powerful artifact from the New Kingdom Ramesside period (ca. 1153–1147 B.C.), during Dynasty 19. These plaques were ritual objects buried in the foundations of temples and palaces as sacred offerings. Placed at building corners, they invoked divine protection and prosperity, ensuring the structure's stability under the gods' watchful eyes. Crafted by an unknown artist, this plaque reflects the era's deep religious devotion amid Egypt's imperial height. Made of f...