This throne from the New Kingdom period, specifically the 18th Dynasty (1332–1323 BC), on display in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo. It is an exquisite piece sourced from the reign of Pharaoh Tutankhamun, whose era was recognized for its domestic policies and adherence to traditional religious polysyncretism.
Constructed predominantly from wood and covered in gold leaf, the throne's dimensions are approximately 1.5m in height, 0.78m in width, and 0.70m depth. The design features situla motifs decorated on the rectangular backrest and seat.
The throne’s surface is enhanced with semi-precious stones and colored glass. These ornaments give visual depth to scenes that explore the pharaoh's life, including an intimate depiction of Tutankhamun and his queen, Ankhesenamun, showcasing a departure from typical royal representations.
The throne’s back panel presents Tutankhamun in the red and white crown of upper and lower Egypt, indicating his divine hierarchy. The depiction of the twin Maat goddesses on the sides represents the harmony and balance invoked for Tutankhamun's rule. Meanwhile, the side panel relays the common theme of triumph over enemies.
Symbolically, the footstool displays defeated enemies, linking ethnographic features with cosmic, political, and religious ideas. It serves as an affirmation of the pharaoh's power.
Hieroglyphic inscriptions offer further interpretive insight into the throne. They narrate Tutankhamun upon the throne's apex, symbolizing his world-ruling influence akin to the sun god's universal command, thus reflecting the concept of royal divinity.
The throne was discovered during Howard Carter's 1922 excavation in the Antechamber's south-west portion of Tutankhamun's tomb. Its preservation over millennia underlines the advanced artistic methods employed by the artisans of the period. The throne is considered one of the most significant and elaborate illustrations of Tutankhamun's reign and the artistic prowess of his time.
