The Narmer Palette

The Narmer Palette 

2950-2775 BCE.

The Narmer Palette represents the unification of northern and southern Egypt under King Narmer.  The palette was used for grinding eye paint which the Egyptians, both men and women, used to protect their eyes from the sun by reflecting the light.  There is great symbolism in this piece conveyed through iconography.  His name is represented by a horizontal fish (nar) and a chisel (mer) at the top of the register.  Narmer is protected by Hathor, the human face with cow ears and horns at the top of the palette.  The artist of this palette used the hieratic scale to convey the least to greatest figures.  Narmer is the largest, representing his power as a ruler and unifier of Egypt.  He stands in the composite pose, ready to strike the helpless enemy over the head. Beneath Narmer are the dead, proving his power and victory.  Narmer also wears the crown of upper Egypt.  The falcon, representing the god Horas, stands on top of the papyrus, a plant symbolizing Lower Egypt and also representing Narmer’s dominion and victory.  The falcon also appears to have seized the head of a man, perhaps representing Lower Egypt again. 

The other side of the Palette is divided by three registers, which makes for a balanced, interesting composition and also seems to show a timeline of the order in which the events of the battle took place.  Near the top of the Palette, Narmer wears a hat of Southern Egypt, proving he has taken control.  Corpses lay in lines, representing the enemy, Southern Egypt.  Below, two creatures with very long intertwining necks, creating a circle, represent the fact that Northern and Southern Egypt are now one and strong, under King Narmer.