Fragments of Malachite
Unknown Artist
ca. 1479–1458 B.C.
Medium
Malachite
Dimensions
1.5 × 0.8 cm (9/16 × 5/16 in.)
Classification
Malachite fragments (3)
Period
New Kingdom
Department
Egyptian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Rogers Fund, 1927
Accession Number
27.3.450a–c
Art Historical Context
These delicate *Fragments of Malachite* hail from Egypt's New Kingdom, specifically Dynasty 18 (ca. 1479–1458 B.C.), a golden age of pharaonic power under rulers like Hatshepsut Thutmose III. by the Metropolitan Museum of Art through the Fund in 1927, these tiny pieces—measuring just 1.5 × 0.8 cm—offer a glimpse into the exquisite craftsmanship of ancient Egyptian artisans. Crafted from malachite, a vibrant copper ore mined in the Sinai Peninsula and eastern deserts, the fragments were likely inlays for jewelry, furniture, or ceremonial objects. Ancient Egyptians prized malachite for its lust...