Images of the king were charged with meaning, often conveying power not only through crowns and sceptres, but also through clothes and adornment. This painting, from the tomb of priest Kynebu, depicts Amenhotep I (about 1525–1504 BCE). The many pieces of jewellery he is wearing mark his royal status. The diadem was painted in yellow to represent gold while the collar is similar to some examples found in the tomb of Tutankhamun (about 1336–1327 BCE).
Tomb painting representing King Amenhotep I 20th Dynasty, reign of Ramses VIII, about 1129–1126 BCE, Egypt, Thebes, Sheikh Abd el-Qurna, tomb of Kynebu © The Trustees of the British Museum
