Down Under Pharaoh

09/04/2023

30/08/2022

…..Horror in the temple of Osiris as lost Great Grasshopper dies in the forecourt during my extended absence…………………………………………………..:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
The grasshopper was mentioned in funerary texts dating back to the pyramid texts of the 5th dynasty of Ancient Egypt - 2400-2300 B.C. Grasshoppers and locusts were associated with the body rising to heaven as their ability to move in such an extraordinary way surely captivated and inspired the temple priesthood who wrote the texts. For any ancient Egyptian to have witnessed the sheer numbers of these creatures during times of plague couldn’t help but be impressed at the scale of the event. A kind of numerical awe that could manifest abundance as it was seen as a sign of fertility, & wealth. Watching a swarm must have been entirely mesmerising, and at times horrific as they could potentially devour a hard won food crop in an afternoon. There was no temple dedicated to the grasshopper in ancient times but the imagery of this insect permeated through the culture in the form of amulets and painted or carved wall scenes. To wear or have this image anywhere in your ancient life would be an attempt to invoke the Grasshopper’s characteristics and release it’s power upon you. 🦗

18/08/2022

…..The domestic archaeology continues……Another rare relic found in my now decommissioned mainland studio is entitled ‘The offering bearers of Maya’. This piece was released today in the Down under Pharaoh store. More treasures to come!

Background information ~

Maya was an important figure of the late 18th dynasty whose name first appears in the palace records of King Amenhotep III at Malkata right through to the 8th year of King Horemheb.
His prominence in the reign of Tutankhamun is testified by his exalted titles including ‘fan bearer’ to the king and more importantly ’overseer of the treasury’.
So close to the upper echelons of state affairs he even commissioned impressive statues for King Tutankhamun’s burial which were found in perfect condition 100 years ago this coming November.

Maya’s tomb at Saqqara, where the design of the offering bearers can be seen today, was rediscovered in 1986 by Egyptologist Geoffrey T. Martin whilst digging in association with the Leiden museum.
I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Martin in the 1990’s at Macquarie university where I showed him my recreations including this piece to his surprise and delight. We both acknowledged the unique ‘Ankh mirror’ the noble lady holds in her right hand and he told me of the thrill of finding the tomb and the very moment he found the hieroglyphs that mentioned the owner of the tomb….‘we’ve found Maya!’ he announced to the team…….Sadly Geoffrey passed away in March and I will always value our conversations and the encouragement he gave during my formative years.

17/08/2022

…..Ushabti burial figure of Taharqa ~ fourth and last king of the 25th dynasty of ancient Egypt - 690 - 664 B.C.E. The Nubian or Kush*te dynasty reunified upper and lower Egypt incorporating their native lands to the south thus expanding the Egyptian frontiers to their largest expanse since the end of the New kingdom - 1570-1069 B.C.E.

16/08/2022

…..double eye of HORUS ~ So many variations of the eye of Horus were created through the course of Ancient Egyptian history and this is one of the more elaborate designs known which I recreated about 10 years ago. (Returning to the store next season!)
Horus lost one of his eyes in a struggle with Seth, his uncle and murderer of his father Osiris. The goddess Hathor magically restored his eye so he could continue to avenge his father and restore the balance of good and evil. Amulets created depicting the eye were imbued with protection and healing properties and along with Scarabs and Ankhs, are the most well known symbols of ancient Egypt. This particular eye can be interpreted as the good eye….with wings outstretched and forward cobra protecting the damaged eye. A bundle of papyrus reeds to the left symbolise lower Egypt - the delta region where Horus was born. The whole composition rests upon a reed mat adding strength to the physical amulet and hints symbolically that order and civilisation is maintained.

15/08/2022

…..in the garden of Pharaoh the Iron Age had come.………………………

12/08/2022

…..this was interesting reading back in 1990. I had just bought it at my favourite book shop - ‘Archives’ and I was reading it on a bus on the way home. I was so terrified at one point I had to shut the book lest the goddess unleash her wrath on the very bus as it dragged it’s diesel guts up the hill growling and gurgling as it went.

12/08/2022

…..Sekhmet - I was recently asked to create a variation of this classic statue to appear more earthy than the typical black. My customer and I were very happy with the result as the hint of colour in the sun disc headdress really set her off. Most Sekhmet statues found in museums or indeed in an archaeological context are either black, like the numerous granite examples found at Karnak temple or corroded green as a result of copper leaching from the thousands of known bronze statues. Painted statues of the daughter of Ra are quite rare and in this example she looks quite ravishing……

28/05/2022

…..at this time of the year the Autumnal shadows dance over the statues and carvings in a most pleasing tango.

23/05/2022

…..a rarity or two returns to Down under Pharaoh this week including a fine replica block statue of Horemheb and a mounted 2009 relief carving featuring Osiris ~ the god of resurrection and the afterlife. Beautiful and subtle colours of the Ancient Egyptian painter’s palette enliven this realistic fragment.

15/05/2022

…..Pharaoh cannot rule the empire with the backing of the ☀️ Sun god alone….. administration of the nation must be nurtured first.