This rare, bright blue glazed faience plaque in the form of a cartouche is molded in raised relief with text that reads: "neb-kheperure" , the throne name for the boy king, Pharaoh Tutankhamun. With double ring attachment for inclusion in a broad collar.

Background:  Tutankhamun was born 'Tutankhaten' during the Amarna period, probably at the capital, Akhetaten (Tell el-Amarna). The identity of his parents is disputed but they were perhaps Akhenaten and his lesser wife Kiya; the boy was a royal prince and ascended the throne at the age of about eight years. Tutankhamun married Ankhesenpaaten, daughter of Akhenaten and Nefertiti and ruled from Memphis with the advice of officials such as the vizier Ay and the general Horemheb, both of whom succeeded him as king. Analysis of Tutankhamun's mummy suggests that he was around seventeen years old when he died, but the cause of his death is a mystery. When the young king died unexpectedly he was buried in the Valley of the Kings in what was probably intended as a non-royal tomb. This tiny tomb was discovered almost intact by Howard Carter in 1922.

Exhibited: Metropolitan Museum NY 1920-38, Boston Fine Art 1945-60 Loan #152.45 , Museum of Man, CA 1968 #M131 (part).

Condition: Intact and in excellent condition overall.

Dimensions: Length: 16 mm (0.62 inches) 

Provenance: Goddard Du Bois (b. 1869 – d. 1925) and Josephine Cook DuBois (b. 1864 – d. 1961), New York, acquired in Egypt between 1900 and 1907 during one of their frequent excursions.