Relief with Netherworld Deities
Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art
This relief from the tomb of Yepu, a high official, represents The Book of the Dead, Spell 145, in which the deceased approaches the fourth and sixth gates of the netherworld. The words that the deceased should recite when approaching them are inscribed here along with the gates themselves and guardian deities.
The wealthier the individual, the more these valuable spells would be supplied in multiple, redundant forms; in addition to this relief on his tomb wall, Yepu likely also had a Book of the Dead papyrus to help him remember all of the spells when he reached the netherworld.
MEDIUM
Limestone
DATES
ca. 1336–1250 B.C.E.
DYNASTY
late Dynasty 18 to early Dynasty 19
PERIOD
New Kingdom
DIMENSIONS
10 7/8 × 2 1/2 × 24 3/8 in., 41.5 lb. (27.6 × 6.4 × 61.9 cm, 18.82kg)
(show scale)
ACCESSION NUMBER
37.1487E
CREDIT LINE
Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund
CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION
Roughly rectangular limestone slab decorated in raised relief. In two panels are represented deities of the Underworld. Framing these panels are columns of inscriptions which, among other things, identify the owner as a man named Yepu. The slab is from a tomb.
Condition: Some chips in surface and surface has been rubbed.
MUSEUM LOCATION
This item is not on view
CAPTION
Relief with Netherworld Deities, ca. 1336–1250 B.C.E. Limestone, 10 7/8 × 2 1/2 × 24 3/8 in., 41.5 lb. (27.6 × 6.4 × 61.9 cm, 18.82kg). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 37.1487E. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 37.1487E_PS2.jpg)
IMAGE
overall, 37.1487E_PS2.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2006
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RIGHTS STATEMENT
Creative Commons-BY
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