Royal scene

Painting on parchment depicting a king (possibly King Solomon) and a queen (possibly Queen Sheba) seated, with retainers and servants around them. The King and Queen wear richly embroidered robes and both have crowns and sceptres. Between them is a servant holding a fly whisk, 'yahanib tchar', a symbol of authority, and next to the Queen a woman holds a decorative silk umbrella also used to convey respect and authority. To the right is a woman in a traditional white 'kamis' with a red-patterned border holding a bowl containing a golden chain. Behind her is a man in a green tunic and white 'shamma', and a courtier in a blue silk tunic, ornate cloak, 'lemd', and lion-mane headdress. His dress suggests he is a man of high rank.

object
MUSEUM NUMBER
1969.583
PLACE
COLLECTION
MEASUREMENTS
overall: 269 mm x 185 mm
MATERIAL/TECHNIQUE
parchment; pigments
CATEGORY
Anthropology: Ethnography
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Collection Information

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