The artwork titled “Kheker Friese, Tomb of Tjay” is an Ancient Egyptian piece dating back to the period between circa 1550 and circa 1458 BC, originating from the New Kingdom era. This piece is classified as an ornament and would have served a decorative purpose.
The image shows a frieze that exhibits a traditional Egyptian decorative motif, presenting a pattern that mimics a row of towering lotus pillars or stems. These are stylized representations commonly found in Ancient Egyptian design, especially in architecture and tomb decorations. The predominant colors are vibrant, featuring blue, red, orange, and green, which are typical for Egyptian art, as they were derived from minerals that had symbolic significance and lasting pigments. Below the pillar representations, you see a damaged section of the artwork which appears to reveal underlying sketches or a different layer of the artwork. In this lower section, one can detect a snake and what seem to be fragments of hieroglyphs or other symbolic decorations. The painting is an excellent representation of the art and symbolism of the New Kingdom period in ancient Egypt.