Rare Ramesses I reliefs from Abydos, rescued and shared by a major museum .
This volume presents a focused look at the Bas-Reliefs from the Temple of Rameses I at Abydos, with plates that reveal the artistry and history of a temple long buried beneath an Arab village.
The narrative covers how these remarkable reliefs were found in 1910, the complex path to their preservation, and how they came to the Metropolitan Museum. It explains the challenges of salt and nitrate in the limestone, the use of paraffin saturation to protect the surfaces, and the careful display in controlled cases. You’ll see plates that document the reliefs across multiple sections and the way pieces traveled from Cairo and Paris to New York.
- Glazed figures, lions, and foreign captives showcased on throne dais components and surrounding platforms.
- Rectangular tiles with standing foreigners in relief, paired with ground colors and a careful restoration approach.
- Inlay tiles and details from doorway and balcony elements, illustrating the palace rooms and ceremonial scenes.
- Notes on color, restoration methods, and how the reliefs convey the original composition and modeling.
This edition is a focused resource for students and enthusiasts of Ramesside art, Egyptian temple sculpture, and museum conservation. Ideal for readers who enjoy museum catalogs, art history introductions, and newens of ancient reliefs.