Vintage
Brass plates filled with sand
Made in Egypt
Available in 3 sizes::
Small - Approximately 1.5” tall
Medium - Approximately 3” tall
Large - Approximately 4” tall
PYRAMIDION
A pyramidion is the uppermost capstone of an ancient Egyptian pyramid or obelisk, serving as the final architectural element that completes these monumental structures. Typically made from a single piece of highly polished stone, such as granite, diorite, or basalt, the pyramidion was often coated in a layer of electrum—a gold and silver alloy—or gold leaf, which allowed it to gleam brilliantly in the sunlight, symbolizing the sun's rays and the divine.
The pyramidion, known in ancient Egyptian as "benbenet," was not merely a decorative element but held profound religious significance. It represented the primordial mound from which the world was created in Egyptian cosmology, and was associated with the sun god Ra. Positioned at the pinnacle of the pyramid, it connected the pharaoh buried within to the heavens, underscoring the belief in the pharaoh's divine nature and his journey to the afterlife.
Many pyramidia were inscribed with hieroglyphs and symbolic imagery, including references to the sun god Ra, the sky goddess Nut, and the eternal life of the deceased pharaoh. These inscriptions reinforced the religious and funerary significance of the pyramid and its role as a tomb designed to ensure the pharaoh's resurrection and eternal life among the gods.
While only a few original pyramidia have survived intact through the ages, those that remain provide valuable insights into ancient Egyptian beliefs, artistry, and engineering prowess. Notable examples include the pyramidion of Amenemhat III, found at Dahshur, and the pyramidion of the Pyramid of Khendjer, which are housed in various museums.
The pyramidion, with its gleaming surface and sacred inscriptions, was the crowning glory of the pyramid, encapsulating the essence of ancient Egyptian religion and their reverence for the divine. Its symbolic importance and architectural ingenuity continue to fascinate historians, archaeologists, and admirers of ancient Egyptian civilization.
