Of particular interest are the inscriptions - the designations of the king - upon the back-panel of
this chair. First of all, below the Aten disc are the two cartouches containing the Aten
apellations. These are phrased in the later form and may be translated: "Re lives, Ruler of the
Horizon, who rejoices on the Horizon in his name 'Re, the Father, who has returned as Aten.'"
Inlaid on either side of the Nekhebet vulture are the prenomen and Aten nomen of the king -
Neb.kheperu.Re Tut.ankh.Aten, surmounted by simple carnelian discs. Below, upon the ivory
and ebony panels, we find various designations of the king giving the Aten and Amen forms of
his nomen. These inscriptions are in their pristine state - in all cases the Aten form of the
nomen remains unchallenged. The chair is thus an important historical document with regard to
the politico-religious vacillations of the reign. Its characteristics seem to be those of the El
Amarna workshops, and from the fact the Aten and the Amen element occurs side by side, it
would appear that the king's return to the older faith was gradual in transition and not
spontaneous.
Behind, to give rigidity to this folding-stool form of chair, upright supporting laths are fixed to
the back-panel, the seat, and the lower foot-bar. The upper rail and supporting laths of the back-panel are also inscribed with designations of the king which include both the Aten and the Amen
form of his name. The back of the panel is overlaid with thin sheet gold, and upon it, finely
embossed, is a large vulture with drooping wings, surmounted by the sky-sign, the uzat-eyes and
the epithet nefer
nefru.
(September 4, 2006)
Back to
Chair 351.