Rectangular Stela of Neferseku
Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art
On View: Funerary Gallery 2, Martha A. and Robert S. Rubin Gallery, 3rd Floor
The style of an object often provides insight into where it was made. On this stela, the offerings seem to float in the air and the arms of the female figure hang lifelessly at her sides—two unusual features. Recent research on these elements points to a provincial workshop near Asyut. The stone carvers in this area were far removed—both physically and aesthetically—from the artistic models of major cities.
MEDIUM
Limestone, pigment
DATES
ca. 1844–1818 B.C.E.
DYNASTY
Dynasty 12
PERIOD
Middle Kingdom
ACCESSION NUMBER
1990.15
CREDIT LINE
Gift of the Egyptian, Classical, and Ancient Middle Eastern Art Council
CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION
A funerary stela, on which, below four lines of inscription, the stela's owner stands at the left before an offering table surmounted by three jars, a trussed fowl, a khepesh-leg, and a leek. Facing him are four members of his family: a small male child, the owner's wife, another male child and a female child. The first two have a column of text behind them, and the latter two have a column of text above their heads. The hieroglyphs in the main text and in the single columns are all oriented to the right. The text is a simpe htp di nsw formula. No titles are given but the names listed are Nht (the small male child); Sbk htp (the wife); Sbk nht (the second made child); Idnw (the female child); Nfr skw (the owner).
The molding on the right and left hand sides of the stela is broken. A vertical scar runs down the right side of the face of the stela. Although it appears to be restored, it is not. Sometraces of paint appear on the offerings and on the offering table as well as on the feet and legs of the owner and in places on the other figures. Traces of paint also appear along the base line.
CAPTION
Rectangular Stela of Neferseku, ca. 1844–1818 B.C.E. Limestone, pigment, 13 3/4 x 14 in. (35 x 35.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the Egyptian, Classical, and Ancient Middle Eastern Art Council, 1990.15. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 1990.15_bw_IMLS.jpg)
IMAGE
overall, 1990.15_bw_IMLS.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
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RIGHTS STATEMENT
Creative Commons-BY
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What are these?
These stelae show deceased individuals receiving offerings of food that their souls needed in order to have a successful and comfortable afterlife.
