Summary Of Standing Sekhmet From The Temple Of Ptah At Karnak

Introduction This paper reviews a painted papyrus from Ancient Egypt called “Standing Sekhmet from the Temple of Ptah at Karnak” and created circa 1554-1380 B.C. The image description is provided in detail for further analysis of historical context and dress-changing factors. Four main dress-changing factors of the period of Ancient Egypt are analyzed, along with two of these factors connected to the change of dress. Image Description The artwork reviewed in this paper is called ‘Standing Sekhmet from the Temple of Ptah at Karnak’, painted on the Great Harris papyrus with the date of creation circa 1554-1380 B.C (Artstor). This canvas depicts the triad of Memphis represented by, from the left to right, Nefertum, Sekhmet, and Ptah in front of

Wide jeweled collars, belts, aprons, amulets worn around the neck to ward off evil, diadems with flowers, armlets, bracelets, and earrings were all available to men and women. (Tortora) Everyone from poor farmers to wealthy royals decorated themselves with a variety of accessories, the difference however was present in the materials used to create them. The jewelry for royals was made from semi-precious stones, precious metals and glass beads, while the lower classes used painted clay, stones, shells, animal teeth, and bones to decorate themselves. On the reviewed papyrus, we can see that the depicted gods belong to the royal hierarchy because they are shown wearing bejeweled broad collars, anklets, armlets, and bracelets, most likely made of precious metals along with semi-precious stones. The gods painted on the artwork give us insights into the religion and beliefs of people of Ancient Egypt. We will further discuss goddess Sekhmet, since she combines the majority of religious concepts of that period of time. Sekhmet is depicted in the body of a woman in a long red dress wearing various jewelry and with a lion head wearing a sun