Boat of Queen Mutemwia

Illustration

Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin
by
published on 22 July 2016
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This sculpture represents a sacred boat on a sledge. It included a seated figure of Queen Mutemwia, wife of Thutmose IV. Only her legs and right hand remained intact, but part of the head is also in the British Museum. Mutemwia clasps a looped cross, the hieroglyphic symbol for life (ankh). A vulture spreads its wings around the queen and throne. This is an image of Mut, consort of the supreme god Amun-Ra. In fact, Mutemwia means "Mut is in the sacred boat", so the sculpture is a also a rebus visualizing the queen's name. The double face on the prow represents Hathor, Egypt's most beloved and universal goddess, whose remits included festivals and music. Cartouches on her crown name Mutemwia's son, king Amenhotep III. From the temple of Amun-Ra at Thebes, Karnak, Egypt, 18th Dynasty, reign of Amenhotep III, c. 1390-1352 BCE.

The British Museum, London.

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About the Author

Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin
Associate Professor of Neurology and lover of the Cradle of Civilization, Mesopotamia. I'm very interested in Mesopotamian history and always try to take photos of archaeological sites and artifacts in museums, both in Iraq and around the world.

Cite This Work

APA Style

Amin, O. S. M. (2016, July 22). Boat of Queen Mutemwia. World History Encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://www.worldhistory.org/image/5323/boat-of-queen-mutemwia/

Chicago Style

Amin, Osama Shukir Muhammed. "Boat of Queen Mutemwia." World History Encyclopedia. Last modified July 22, 2016. https://www.worldhistory.org/image/5323/boat-of-queen-mutemwia/.

MLA Style

Amin, Osama Shukir Muhammed. "Boat of Queen Mutemwia." World History Encyclopedia. World History Encyclopedia, 22 Jul 2016, https://www.worldhistory.org/image/5323/boat-of-queen-mutemwia/. Web. 16 May 2025.

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