Smendes palette

Palette inscribed for Smendes, High Priest of Amun

Period: Third Intermediate Period

Dynasty: Dynasty 21

Reign: Reign of High Priest of Amun Menkheperre

Date: ca. 1045–992 B.C.

Geography: Probably from Upper Egypt; Thebes; From Egypt

Medium: Wood, ink, reed

Dimensions: L. of palette 48.6 cm (19 1/8 in); W. 7.2 cm (2 13/16 in.); Th. 1.1 cm (7/16 in.) L. of pens 16.5–18 cm (6 1/2 in–7 1/16 in)

Credit Line: Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, 1947

Accession Number: 47.123a–g

 

 Egyptian scribes perfected their skill in the art of writing as apprentices. They would copy hieroglyphs and phrases on chips of stone and fragments of pottery (ostraca), or on whitewashed writing boards (see 28.9.5).
A scribe would have owned a writing palette like this one, which provides space for two colors of ink and a slot for reed brushes (Egyptian scribes used brushes, not pens).

 

Met Museum

 

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