Scribe's Palette

The most important piece of an ancient Egyptian scribe's equipment was the palette, typically made of wood, with a slot for storing reed pens and two inkwells containing red and black pigments. Such a palette was an insignia of office and was carried quite proudly by the owner. Because of the importance of being able to read and write, these palettes were often crafted of the finest materials available. This palette is beautifully crafted from imported African ebony, and its sleek, thin form points to a date in the pyramid age. It has a beveled slot to hold the pens and round wells for red and black ink, traces of which still remain on the edges of the recesses.