Lot 1818
Important and Rare Wall Text of Ahmose I, First Pharaoh of the 18th Dynasty. Egypt, early 18th Dynasty, c. 1550-1525 BC. The creme-colored limestone of roughly rectangular shape, containing five horizontal registers of well cut hieroglyphs. Likely a temple text, the inscription reads: "King of Upper and Lower Egypt, Ahmose I, son of Ra. / Nome of Dendera, All of the Princes of Pharaoh and Nobles…. / Seal Bearer and first friend of Pharaoh who give, Montu-Hotep, giver…. / The great wooden doors, made anew for the God Montu at Dendera / The mighty Bulwarks [damage] Amemenones I, just of voice, together with him…. Panel overall very fine, with the usual and expected damages along the edges. Size: 14" x 12" x 4"; on custom base.
Estimated Value $30,000 - 35,000.
Very Rare and significant. Only twelve inscriptions of any size are known of this important pharaoh -- sometimes referred to as the…. "Pharaoh who knew not Joseph." (Exodus I: 1-10). Ex Malter Galleries, "Collector's Journal of Ancient Art," cover piece, c. 1994.
Considered the first official ruler of the 18th Dynasty, although technically he was only a continuance of the line of Theban rulers (17th Dynasty) who had been campaigning against the foreign rulers of Egypt - the Hyksos, Semitic invaders who had control of the country for over 100 years. However his rule oversaw the final expulsion of the Hyksos from Egypt and the consolidation of his dynasty's control over the Nile Valley and adjacent areas. This effected a complete revival of the power Egypt had formerly enjoyed during the Middle Kingdom, and this achievement is thus considered the start of a new epoch. Helping to fuel this revival, Ahmose, after dealing with the Hyksos, immediately set to securing Egypt's frontiers against further intrusions. In the process he traveled south to deal out retribution to Nubia, and in crushing their king, seized the opportunity to take control of some of the richest gold mines of the ancient world. These proved immensely useful in firmly entrenching the 18th Dynasty.
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