Faience Handle

Fragment of a solid cylinder handle (?) moulded from faience with a dark blue glaze and decorated with an inscription in light blue with a royal name - the cartouche of Satamun (sAtimn). She was the daughter of Amenhotep III and his main wife Tiye. Broken in half and mended. DENDERA is written in black ink on the broken unglazed surface. In 1898 Petrie found faience models of papyrus stems that fitted into cross bases (Dendereh, p. 28, pl. XXIII nos. 10-13); and also large faience ankhs that were also inscribed. This could be a fragment of either of these religious votives. Wellcome Historical Medical Museum accession no. 31971. Formerly in the collection of Hon. Richard Bethell. Purchased at Sotheby's, London, 15-17 December 1924 lot 370: “A Fragment of a Kohl Tube, of yellow faience, on which is inscribed “The Great Royal Wife,” ANKH.S.EN.AMEN (Queen of TUT.ANKH.AMEN); part of a Handle, with the name of Queen SAT.AMEN (?), in pale blue inlaid in violet; another, with the prenomen of HOR.EM.HEB, white in violet; and a Handle, of pale blue faience incised with the prenomen and nomen of AAHMES.SA.NEITH; XVIII and XXVI dynasties (4)” (1924 p. 36).