Paletter of Narmer

Palette of Narmer, 3200-3000 BC (circa) 

Egyptian, late predynastic, c. 3100-3000 BC
Slate; H. 25″ l   

Many scholars believe Narmer to be another name for Menes, the founder of the First Dynasty. The palette depicts the unification of Upper and Lower Egypt into the “Kingdom of the Two Lands” under the divine king. This object is a ceremonial palette used in the ritual of mixing and applying the King’s eye makeup. The palette is arranged in three easily read registers on the back and four on the front.