New Year Gift: Horse Trappings 1427 BC

Norman de Garis Davies created this watercolor facsimile titled "New Year Gift: Horse Trappings." Davies worked for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Egyptian Expedition in the early 20th century, where he documented numerous tombs. His work provides invaluable insights into ancient Egyptian life and artistic conventions. Horse trappings, like those depicted here, offer a glimpse into the culture of gift-giving and the symbolic value of animals in ancient Egypt. Horses were associated with power and wealth, acting as potent symbols of status for their owners. Davies's careful rendering of the trappings invites us to reflect on the social dynamics of ancient Egypt and consider the craftsmanship and artistry embedded in everyday objects. Consider how the exchange of such gifts reinforced social hierarchies, emphasizing the close relationship between material culture and social identity.