Artwork

Syrians Bringing Vessels and Weapons, Tomb of Rekhmire

Syrians Bringing Vessels and Weapons, Tomb of Rekhmire, by Nina M. Davies, unspecified, -1450
Syrians Bringing Vessels and Weapons, Tomb of Rekhmire, by Nina M. Davies, unspecified, -1450

Syrians Bringing Vessels and Weapons, Tomb of Rekhmire is an unspecified painting by Nina M. Davies. It dates from -1450 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The work records a fragment of the wall decoration from the tomb of the 18th‑Dynasty official Rekhmire, dated to the mid‑15th century BCE.

About this work

History & Provenance

The facsimile painting Syrians Bringing Vessels and Weapons is held by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, where it is accessioned as 30.

The work depicts a scene originally painted in the tomb of Rekhmire (TT 100) in Egypt, dating to approximately 1450 BCE. The specific version referenced is a facsimile created by the artist Nina M. Davies. This reproduction was commissioned to document the ancient wall paintings found within the tomb.

The facsimile is currently held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is cataloged under the accession number 30.4.83. The piece serves as a record of the original New Kingdom artwork, preserving the visual details of the figures bringing vessels and weapons.

The facsimile painting Syrians Bringing Vessels and Weapons is held by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, where it is accessioned as 30.4.83.

The work has not been recorded as part of any loaned exhibition in the provided sources.

Context

The tomb painting depicting foreigners bearing tribute vessels and weapons, recorded in the tomb of Rekhmire (TT100) near Thebes, Egypt, has been studied as an early example of Near Eastern representation in New Kingdom funerary art. Scholars such as Toby Wilkinson and Salima Ikram have highlighted its role in illustrating diplomatic and trade interactions between Egypt and Levantine regions during the 15th century BCE. The work’s composition and stylistic details reflect broader themes of imperial authority and cultural exchange in New Kingdom funerary contexts.

Its inclusion in museum collections, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, underscores its significance in both archaeological scholarship and public interpretation of ancient Egyptian art.

Overview

The work records a fragment of the wall decoration from the tomb of the 18th‑Dynasty official Rekhmire, dated to the mid‑15th century BCE. It shows two figures in white garments engaged in the presentation of tribute: one bearing a bow and a red‑white headdress, the other supporting a large gold vessel and a cloth. The scene is rendered against a light brown field that retains the texture of the original brushwork.

Subject & Meaning

The composition illustrates a diplomatic exchange, likely representing foreign envoys, identified as Syrians, bringing valuable goods and weaponry to the Egyptian elite. The bow and the gold vessel symbolize martial strength and wealth, respectively, while the careful handling of the items underscores the ritualized nature of tribute in New Kingdom courtly practice.

Technique & Style

Executed in the conventional Egyptian wall‑painting technique, the figures are outlined in black and filled with flat, opaque colors. The artist employed a limited palette, emphasizing contrast between the white robes and the richly colored accessories. Visible brushstrokes on the background suggest a hand‑applied plaster surface, a characteristic feature of tomb decoration from this period.

Syrians Bringing Horses, Tomb of Rekhmire
Syrians Bringing Horses, Tomb of Rekhmire, Nina M. Davies

Artist & collection

Artist

Nina M. Davies

The Egyptologists Nina M. Davies (6 January 1881 – 21 April 1965) and Norman de Garis Davies (1865–5 November 1941) were a married couple of illustrators and copyists who worked in the early and mid-twentieth century…

Frequently asked questions

Who painted Syrians Bringing Vessels and Weapons, Tomb of Rekhmire?

Syrians Bringing Vessels and Weapons, Tomb of Rekhmire was painted by Nina M. Davies in -1450-01-0.

Where can I see Syrians Bringing Vessels and Weapons, Tomb of Rekhmire?

Syrians Bringing Vessels and Weapons, Tomb of Rekhmire is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.