ticketsMember | Make a donation

Writing board of an apprentice scribe

First Intermediate Period
ca. 2030 B.C.
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 109
It is clear from the awkwardly formed hieroglyphs and their uneven spacing that this is the work of an apprentice scribe who was practicing his penmanship. The writing board could be used again and again by scraping or wiping off the ink and adding a new coat of whitewash. Another writing board in the collection shows corrections made in red ink.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Writing board of an apprentice scribe
  • Period: First Intermediate Period
  • Dynasty: Dynasty 11 or earlier
  • Date: ca. 2030 B.C.
  • Geography: From Egypt
  • Medium: Wood, whitewash, ink
  • Dimensions: H. 22 cm (8 11/16 in); w. 8.5 cm (3 3/8 in)
  • Credit Line: Gift of Edward S. Harkness, 1928
  • Object Number: 28.9.5
  • Curatorial Department: Egyptian Art

More Artwork

More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Tablet from a foundation deposit of King Mentuhotep II, Wood
Tablet from a foundation deposit of King Mentuhotep II
ca. 2060–2010 B.C.
Figure of a woman, Wood, paint
Figure of a woman
ca. 2150–2100 B.C.
Roller, Sycomore wood
Roller
ca. 2124–1504 B.C.
Tablet from the foundation deposit of Mentuhotep II, Travertine (Egyptian alabaster)
Tablet from the foundation deposit of Mentuhotep II
ca. 2060–2010 B.C.
Staff of Lady Djabwet, Wood
Staff of Lady Djabwet
ca. 2124–1504 B.C.

Related Content

Timeline of Art History

Entries from The Met's art encyclopedia.

Publications

Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.