Egyptian Royal Offering Cup of Ramesside Pharaoh Merenptah Ramesside Period, 19th Dynasty, 1212-1202 B.C. A vibrant turquoise-glazed faience offering cup, the thickened rim with painted black detailing; two vertical bands of hieroglyphic text inscribing the name of 'Lord of Appearances, Merenptah and Osiris lord of Rostjau' including a cartouche of Merenptah I, thirteenth son succeeding his father Ramesses II. Cf. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, accession number 19.2.7, for an offering cup in cream faience; see Taylor, J.H., Death and the Afterlife in Ancient Egypt, London, 2001, for discussion. 42.6 grams, 50 mm (2 in.). Bonhams, London, 1 May 2008, lot 62. Private collection of Egyptologist Paul Whelan, Hertfordshire, UK. Accompanied by a copy of relevant Bonhams catalogue pages. Merenptah I was the thirteenth son of Ramesses II, and ascended to the throne in his later years at the age of around seventy, when all of his older brothers had died. When he assumed the throne, he moved the administrative centre back to Memphis and constructed his palace next to the temple of Ptah. During his ten year reign he carried out several military campaigns. His mummy now resides in the new National Museum of Egyptian Civilization in Cairo. [A video of this lot is available to view on Timeline Auctions Website.]