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MacGregor plaque

The MacGregor plaque is an ancient Egyptian ivory tablet, probably from the mastaba of Pharaoh Den and dated to around 2985 BC. It is also known as the sandal tag of Den and may have come from the king’s tomb at Abydos. The plaque was acquired by the British Museum in 1922 from the MacGregor collection and is now catalogued as BM EA 55586. Measuring 4.5 by 5.4 cm and about 0.2 cm thick, it is carved ivory with fire-engraved images. One side shows Den in a combat pose, wearing a nemes headdress and the Horus name inscription, while the other shows a pair of sandals, though part of it is badly worn.

MacGregor plaque showing a crowned figure with a mace about to strike a kneeling figure, with hieroglyphs on the ivory surface.
The MacGregor plaque features an engraved scene with a crowned figure, a mace, and hieroglyphic symbols.
· CC BY-SA 2.0
MacGregor plaque showing a carved ivory tablet with a figure raising a mace over a kneeling figure, surrounded by hieroglyphs and symbols.
The MacGregor plaque features an incised scene on ivory with hieroglyphs and symbolic figures.
· CC BY-SA 2.0
MacGregor plaque showing a cracked ivory carving of a standing figure raising a mace over a kneeling figure, with hieroglyphs and a standard.
The MacGregor plaque features a carved scene with a standing figure, a kneeling figure, and surrounding hieroglyphic symbols.
June 2023 © Captmondo · CC BY 2.5
MacGregor plaque showing an ancient Egyptian relief of a standing figure raising a mace over a kneeling figure, with hieroglyphs and symbols around them.
The MacGregor plaque depicts an ancient Egyptian scene carved in relief, with a figure poised to strike a kneeling figure below.
June 2006 © Oesermaatra0069 · Public domain
Ancient ivory plaque with incised figures showing a standing ruler raising a mace over a kneeling figure, with symbols and a sandal shape beside them.
Ivory plaque of Den showing a ruler striking a kneeling figure, with carved symbols around the scene.
© CaptMondo · CC BY 2.5

Identification

TitleMacGregor plaque
TypeIvory plaque / tablet
Alternative namesRitual tablet of Pharaoh Den; sandal tag of Pharaoh Den; MacGregor Tablet; King Den's sandal label; MacGregor-Plakette; MacGregor-Täfelchen; Sandalenplakette von König Den; Targhetta MacGregor; Placchetta MacGregor

Historical context

CultureAncient Egyptian
DynastyFirst Dynasty of Egypt
Datecirca 2985 BCE

Creator

Associated rulerPharaoh Den (Hor Den)

Discovery and provenance

Inventory numberBM EA 55586; 1922,0728.2
Acquisition by current museumAcquired by the British Museum in 1922
Former collectionMacGregor collection
ExcavatorÉmile Amélineau
Probable findspotMastaba tomb of King Den at Abydos

Physical characteristics

Dimensions4.5 cm × 5.4 cm
Thicknessabout 0.2 cm
Weight10 g

Materials

MaterialCarved ivory

Technique

TechniqueEngraved and fire-burnt images

Iconography and meaning

Associated deity standardJackal standard of Wepwawet / Upuaut
Original functionOriginally attached to the king's sandal(s), according to the inscription
Reverse conditionLeft side badly damaged by abrasion / scratches
Reverse depictionA pair of sandals
King's attireLoincloth with an animal tail, and a khat headdress or archaic nemes with uraeus
Inscription on frontDen is identified by his Horus name; text reads 'I was the one who completed the first strike toward the east'
Enemy identificationProbably an Asiatic, identified by hairstyle, goatee, and braids
Enemy depictionKneeling or fallen enemy, trying to ward off the blow
King's poseRight hand raised holding a mace, left hand grasping an enemy by the hair
Front depictionKing Den in the smiting-the-enemy motif

Location and ownership

Current locationBritish Museum, London

History and restoration

Provenance noteProbably from the tomb of King Den at Abydos; said to derive from Émile Amélineau's excavations
Interpretation of inscriptionTaken to mean that King Den personally achieved his first victory against eastern peoples
Historical context of inscriptionSuggests further battles and possible losses, reflecting early First Dynasty efforts to defend and expand Egypt's frontiers and territories
Comparative referenceThe Palermo Stone may refer to the same event, but more likely records later campaigns in the second half of Den's reign

Significance

Historical significanceAmong the oldest images of a ruler, together with depictions of Narmer
Art-historical significanceEarliest attestation of the khat headdress
Royal iconographic significanceHorus Den is the first known king to display the double crown

Other

Media appearanceFeatured in episode 11 of the BBC radio series A History of the World in 100 Objects (2010), a BBC and British Museum collaboration