This ancient Egyptian duck hunting scene from the age of the pharaohs - painted on papyrus - was inspired by an image found in the tomb of the Egyptian King Tutankhamun, discovered in the Valley of the Kings. The original image was part of the detail in the exterior of the gilt shrine found in the tomb, showing Queen Ankhesenamun helping the King Tutankhamun in a ritual hunting scene. Beside him is the lion, a symbol of power, and in front of him his wife Ankhesenamun, who keeps him supplied with arrows. Interestingly, the leopard was once the royal symbol of power but disappeared in Egypt during this 18th Dynasty, and on occasion one will see the feline here portrayed as such. However the original gold image, attached here, clearly shows the animal to instead be a lion, and the new symbol of power, matching this version of the scene on papyrus.

Papyrus was very important to the ancient Egyptians. It helped transform Egyptian society in many ways. The first use of papyrus paper is believed to have been 4000 BC as it was discovered over 5000 years ago by the ancient Egyptians. Once the technology of papyrus making was developed, its method of production was kept secret allowing the Egyptians to have a monopoly on it. Found on the banks in the famous River Nile Valley, the plant’s stem was stripped and pressed to form one of the earliest and longest lasting forms of “paper”. Today, Egyptian craftspeople follow every ancient procedure, step by step, to give you the same writing surface used by the Royal Pharaohs over 5000 years ago.

Measuring 7.5" x 9.75" sight and 10" x 12" in black wood frame with double-gilt edges, behind glass. In excellent condition, imported from Egypt.