]]> http://www.conorp.com/wall-fragment-from-a-tomb/feed 0 http://www.conorp.com/door-jamb-from-the-tomb-of-mehy http://www.conorp.com/door-jamb-from-the-tomb-of-mehy#comments Fri, 28 Aug 2009 08:20:13 +0000 conorp http://localhost/wordpress/?page_id=116 Egypt, Saqqara
Door jamb from the tomb of Mehy
Old Kingdom, Dynasty VI
Reign of Pepi II
2278-2184 BC
Limestone
79.2 X 29.2 X 8.5
Felton Bequest, 1939

This Door Jamb originates from a free-standing tomb prepared by the government official Mehy at Saqqara, the principle cemetery of the capital of the Old Kingdom at Memphis, located on the escarpment overlooking the city, south of modern Cairo. Mehy is shown seated upon a low-backed wooden chair with legs terminating in bull’s feet. He wears the costume of a high official: an elaborate wig, a bead collar and a pleated linen kilt. In his right hand he holds a sceptre and in his left hand a walking stick, insignia of his office. In typical manner, his head is shown in profile, his shoulders from the front, his legs in profile with feet together. In order not to interrupt the line of body, his sceptre is rendered as though behind his left arm. The piece is well carved in incised relief.

Translation

sS-nsw.t xtm.w-bj.tj jm.j-rA m pr mHj
The scribe of the King (1), sealer of the King of Lower Egypt (2), overseer in the house (/ temple / estade) (steward) (3), Mehi

xtm.w-bj.tj smr-wA.tj Xr-j:HAb.t mHj
The sealer of the King of Lower Egypt (2), sole companion (of the King) (4), Lector Priest (5), Mehi

(1) Jones, Titles OK, no. 3148 *
(2) Jones, Titles OK, no. 2775
(3) Jones, Titles OK, no. 461
(4) Jones, Titles OK, no. 3268
(5) Jones, Titles OK, no.2848

Translation: Forum Egyptian Dream, member Aset

Egypt
Model of a female servant
Middle Kingdom
Dynasties mid XI- XII
2055-1773 BC
Wood, gesso, pigment
40.7 X 9.7 X 17.3
Felton Bequest 1939

During their life servants ensured the comfort of the Egyptian elite, performing a variety of domestic functions, and in the afterlife they hoped to be attended in a similar manner. During Dynasty 1 they were buried surrounding those of the king and officials. From the old kingdom onwards the walls of the tomb chapels of such officials were decorated with scenes that ensure their well being for eternity, they are also attending the needs of their employer. They are encountered in the burials of middle and lower ranking officials who could not afford decorated tombs. This includes brewers and bakers, farmers, and individual figures bearing food and drink.

Figure of females bearing offerings, such as the one illustrated, are found regularly. The body, head and basket are carved from a single piece of wood, while the arms were carved separately and attached by dowels; the figure is glued to the base. She wears a white linen with a red sash below the breast and her hair is cut with a fringe and worn to chin-length at the sides but to waist level at the center of the back.Despite the flat facial features, it still posses a certain elegance.

]]> http://www.conorp.com/modelofafemaleservant/feed 0 http://www.conorp.com/nefertiti http://www.conorp.com/nefertiti#comments Fri, 28 Aug 2009 08:09:12 +0000 conorp http://localhost/wordpress/?page_id=145

Egypt, el-Amarna
Boundary stela Q
Head of Queen Nefertiti
New Kingdom
Dynasty XVIII
Reign of Akhenaten
1352-1336 BC
Limestone
35.8 X 17.1 X 21.7 CM
Gift of Norman de Garis Davies, 1907

Nefertiti was the principal wife of King Amenhotep IV / Akhenaten. Her parentage is unknown but she undoubtedly came from a high-ranking family; she bore the king six daughters. Nefertiti occupied a position second only to her husband, playing a pivotal role in his religious reforms and may even been elevated by him to the position of co-ruler. If so, she was on of the only five queens regnant in pharoaonic history.

Amenhotep IV promoted the cult of Aten, the visible solar disc and creative force of sunlight, above all gods. He is first depicted as falcon-headed, resembling the creator of god Ra-Horakhty, but later, the solar disc from which rays extended, offering life to the royal family. The iconography of the sculptures from the temples makes it clear that the royal couple were identified with Shu and Tefnut, the offspring of the creator-god Atum. And build a new capital dedicated to Aten, called Akhataten (Horizon of the disc; modern el-Amama), and he changed his name to Akhenaten (Beneficial one of the Aten). The new cult did not survive the death of Akhenaten and Nefertiti and, like tem, it was the target of vilification by later rulers.