Royal Diadem

GEM Number

17

Collection

Tutankhamun Galleries

Period

New Kingdom

Dynasty

18

Description

Concealed under the golden funerary mask, this elaborate diadem encircled the king’s head. The fillet (headband) is of solid gold decorated with red carnelian roundels and blue glass squares. Upon its discovery, the removable vulture and uraeus snake (symbols of sovereignty over Upper and Lower Egypt) were placed on the king’s thighs. They have grooves on their backs that fit onto tongues sticking out from the front of the fillet. Two ribbons and two uraeus snakes hang from a bow at the back of the fillet and are hinged to fit over different sized wigs.

Region
Upper Egypt
Area
Luxor

Height

39 cm

Width

11 cm

Length

19 cm