| Turin Museum stelae |
Stele of Amennakhte
19th dynasty, around 1295-1186 BC
Limestone
Rectangular limestone stela of Amennakht, possibly
originating from the sanctuary of Ptah and
Meretseger. Most probably intended to depict the
sanctuary with its two hills. The relief ornamentation
of the four sacred cobras in the upper part of the
stela is intended to be a symbolic representation of
the "Great Peak of the West". The goddess shown on
the right, personifies the peak, and is called "Isis the
Great". She is depicted with bovine horns and a solar
disk like Hathor. Amennakht is shown kneeling inside a
rectangle that was intended to represent a chapel in
the sanctuary.
Height: 43 cm
Width: 30 cm
Formerly from Drovetti's collection
Inv. cat. 1521 = CGT 50059
19th dynasty, around 1295-1186 BC
Limestone
Rectangular limestone stela of Amennakht, possibly
originating from the sanctuary of Ptah and
Meretseger. Most probably intended to depict the
sanctuary with its two hills. The relief ornamentation
of the four sacred cobras in the upper part of the
stela is intended to be a symbolic representation of
the "Great Peak of the West". The goddess shown on
the right, personifies the peak, and is called "Isis the
Great". She is depicted with bovine horns and a solar
disk like Hathor. Amennakht is shown kneeling inside a
rectangle that was intended to represent a chapel in
the sanctuary.
Height: 43 cm
Width: 30 cm
Formerly from Drovetti's collection
Inv. cat. 1521 = CGT 50059
Stele to Amun-Re, Meretseger and Amenhotep I
From Deir el-Medina
19th dynasty
Painted limestone
Round-topped
Meretseger was the goddess of the pyramidal peak which
lies above the Theban necropolis. Her usual name was "she
who loves silence". She was primarily worshipped by the
workmen of Deir el-Medina.
From the 18th dynasty onwards, the main focus of
religious worship of the population of Deir el-Medina was
the cult of Amenhotep I, particularly in the form of "Lord
of the village", together with his mother
Ahmose-Nefertari.
Amenhotep I Djeserkare (1525-1504 BC) was the second
pharaoh of the 18th dynasty. He was probably still very
young when he came to the throne, so it is likely that his
mother, queen Ahmose-Nefertari (c.1570-1505 BC)
served as regent for the first part of his reign. They are
jointly credited with the foundation of Deir el-Medina,
where they consequently enjoyed personal religious cults
until the late Ramesside Period.
From Deir el-Medina
19th dynasty
Painted limestone
Round-topped
Meretseger was the goddess of the pyramidal peak which
lies above the Theban necropolis. Her usual name was "she
who loves silence". She was primarily worshipped by the
workmen of Deir el-Medina.
From the 18th dynasty onwards, the main focus of
religious worship of the population of Deir el-Medina was
the cult of Amenhotep I, particularly in the form of "Lord
of the village", together with his mother
Ahmose-Nefertari.
Amenhotep I Djeserkare (1525-1504 BC) was the second
pharaoh of the 18th dynasty. He was probably still very
young when he came to the throne, so it is likely that his
mother, queen Ahmose-Nefertari (c.1570-1505 BC)
served as regent for the first part of his reign. They are
jointly credited with the foundation of Deir el-Medina,
where they consequently enjoyed personal religious cults
until the late Ramesside Period.
Stele of Wab dedicated to Meretseger
From Deir el-Medina
19th dynasty
Limestone
Meretseger was the goddess of the
pyramidal peak which lies above the Theban
necropolis. Her usual name was "she who
loves silence". She was primarily worshipped
by the workmen of Deir el-Medina. The
deceased is kneeling in adoration before 12
serpents, one above the other, all
representing the snake goddess Meretseger.
Height: 27 cm
Width: 17 cm
Former Drovetti's collection
cat. 1533 = CGT 50060
From Deir el-Medina
19th dynasty
Limestone
Meretseger was the goddess of the
pyramidal peak which lies above the Theban
necropolis. Her usual name was "she who
loves silence". She was primarily worshipped
by the workmen of Deir el-Medina. The
deceased is kneeling in adoration before 12
serpents, one above the other, all
representing the snake goddess Meretseger.
Height: 27 cm
Width: 17 cm
Former Drovetti's collection
cat. 1533 = CGT 50060
Stele of Mutnofret to Renenutet
From Deir el-Medina
18th-19th dynasty
Round-topped stele of Mutnofret showing the adoration
of Renenutet, represented with a serpents head and
female body. The goddess has a solar disk between
bovine horns. In the bottom register the same goddess,
"The Lady of the Heavens" is adored by the deceased
Inofre, who is kneeling with her arms raised.
Renenuet, in Egyptian "snake who nourishes" was a
popular and beneficial deity. Protective in nature and of
a nurturing rather than venomous disposition, she was a
goddess of the harvest and a divine nurse. She is
identified with the household and family life in her role
as provider, nourisher and as a nurse of infants. Here
her associations with children also identified her with
Hathor whose headdress she wears.
From Deir el-Medina
18th-19th dynasty
Round-topped stele of Mutnofret showing the adoration
of Renenutet, represented with a serpents head and
female body. The goddess has a solar disk between
bovine horns. In the bottom register the same goddess,
"The Lady of the Heavens" is adored by the deceased
Inofre, who is kneeling with her arms raised.
Renenuet, in Egyptian "snake who nourishes" was a
popular and beneficial deity. Protective in nature and of
a nurturing rather than venomous disposition, she was a
goddess of the harvest and a divine nurse. She is
identified with the household and family life in her role
as provider, nourisher and as a nurse of infants. Here
her associations with children also identified her with
Hathor whose headdress she wears.
Stele of the scribe Ramose
From Deir el-Medina
19th dynasty, reign of Ramesses II
The scribe Ramose, whose title was "Scribe of the
Tomb" of Ramesses II (5th to 38th regnal year),
dedicated this stela to the goddess Qudshu, the
Asiatic goddess of love, possibly hoping that her
intercession might assist in rousing his sexual potency.
Qudshu is shown standing naked on a lion, her sacred
animal. She is placed between male fertility deities
Reshep and Min.
In the bottom register next to Ramose is his wife
Mutemwia.
The couple failed to produce an heir and eventual
successor. The stele reflects their desire to have
children.
Height: 45 cm
Width: 30 cm
cat. 1601 = CGT 50066
From Deir el-Medina
19th dynasty, reign of Ramesses II
The scribe Ramose, whose title was "Scribe of the
Tomb" of Ramesses II (5th to 38th regnal year),
dedicated this stela to the goddess Qudshu, the
Asiatic goddess of love, possibly hoping that her
intercession might assist in rousing his sexual potency.
Qudshu is shown standing naked on a lion, her sacred
animal. She is placed between male fertility deities
Reshep and Min.
In the bottom register next to Ramose is his wife
Mutemwia.
The couple failed to produce an heir and eventual
successor. The stele reflects their desire to have
children.
Height: 45 cm
Width: 30 cm
cat. 1601 = CGT 50066
Stele from Deir el-Medina
Limestone
Upper part of round-topped limestone
stele, depicting the solar disc with a single
wing and two columns of hieroglyphs, partly
illegible. A warrior goddess on horseback is
about to shoot an arrow at an enemy of
whom only the head and part of the bust
can be seen. The goddess, depicted naked,
is riding side-saddle. She is wearing an
Atef crown, a necklace, bracelets and
quiver. She is Astarte, goddess of war and
death and was very popular in Egypt
although of Canaanite origin.
Limestone
Upper part of round-topped limestone
stele, depicting the solar disc with a single
wing and two columns of hieroglyphs, partly
illegible. A warrior goddess on horseback is
about to shoot an arrow at an enemy of
whom only the head and part of the bust
can be seen. The goddess, depicted naked,
is riding side-saddle. She is wearing an
Atef crown, a necklace, bracelets and
quiver. She is Astarte, goddess of war and
death and was very popular in Egypt
although of Canaanite origin.
Stele of Amenemope
From Deir el-Medina
Beginning of the 19th dynasty, reign of Seti I and
Rameses II
Limestone
The stele is dedicated to Amenhotep I and
Ahmose-Nefertari by the 'Servant in the Place of
Truth' Amenemope and Amennakht.
The king and the queen are shown sitting on their
thrones. Above the sovereign there is a solar disc
flanked by two sacred cobras and their cartouches are
shown to the right of each of them.
In the bottom register Amenemope is shown with his
son Amennakht, who also was a "Servant in the Place
of Truth", in the pose of adoration.
Height: 30 cm
Width: 20 cm
Former Drovetti's collection
cat. 1452 = CGT 50034
From Deir el-Medina
Beginning of the 19th dynasty, reign of Seti I and
Rameses II
Limestone
The stele is dedicated to Amenhotep I and
Ahmose-Nefertari by the 'Servant in the Place of
Truth' Amenemope and Amennakht.
The king and the queen are shown sitting on their
thrones. Above the sovereign there is a solar disc
flanked by two sacred cobras and their cartouches are
shown to the right of each of them.
In the bottom register Amenemope is shown with his
son Amennakht, who also was a "Servant in the Place
of Truth", in the pose of adoration.
Height: 30 cm
Width: 20 cm
Former Drovetti's collection
cat. 1452 = CGT 50034
Stele of Baki
From Deir el-Medina
19th dynasty, reign of Seti I and Rameses II,
around 1290-1279 BC
Limestone
This round-topped stele is carved in low relief and
painted in several colours. The pictorial plane is
divided into two registers, the upper one containing
two rams facing each other. The animals, with cobras
rising on their foreheads, wear tall headdresses
composed of two tall plumes with a solar disk at the
centre. Between them is a small offering table with
lotus flowers. The mirror image hieroglyphic
inscription refers to the rams and reveals their divine
nature as that of Amun-Ra. In the register below,
foreman Baki is shown in the pose of adoration.
C1549
From Deir el-Medina
19th dynasty, reign of Seti I and Rameses II,
around 1290-1279 BC
Limestone
This round-topped stele is carved in low relief and
painted in several colours. The pictorial plane is
divided into two registers, the upper one containing
two rams facing each other. The animals, with cobras
rising on their foreheads, wear tall headdresses
composed of two tall plumes with a solar disk at the
centre. Between them is a small offering table with
lotus flowers. The mirror image hieroglyphic
inscription refers to the rams and reveals their divine
nature as that of Amun-Ra. In the register below,
foreman Baki is shown in the pose of adoration.
C1549
Stele of Hay
From Deir el-Medina
20th dynasty, reign of Ramesses III
Limestone
The round-topped stele is dedicated to the goddess
Meretseger, represented with a female body and serpent's
head and to the goddess Taweret who is depicted as a
hippopotamus on two legs and who precedes her. Each of the
goddesses is identified in the vertical text in front of her.
Each is wearing a modius surmounted by the bovine horns and
the solar disc on her head. Meretseger is holding a
was-sceptre and the symbol of eternal life. In the
dedication Hay, the deputy of the time of Ramesses III,
also remembers his sons Amennakht, draughtsman-scribe and
Nebnefer. Hay's tomb is no. 267 at Deir el-Medina.
Height: 43 cm
Width: 28 cm
Former Drovetti's collection
cat. 1606 = CGT 50062
From Deir el-Medina
20th dynasty, reign of Ramesses III
Limestone
The round-topped stele is dedicated to the goddess
Meretseger, represented with a female body and serpent's
head and to the goddess Taweret who is depicted as a
hippopotamus on two legs and who precedes her. Each of the
goddesses is identified in the vertical text in front of her.
Each is wearing a modius surmounted by the bovine horns and
the solar disc on her head. Meretseger is holding a
was-sceptre and the symbol of eternal life. In the
dedication Hay, the deputy of the time of Ramesses III,
also remembers his sons Amennakht, draughtsman-scribe and
Nebnefer. Hay's tomb is no. 267 at Deir el-Medina.
Height: 43 cm
Width: 28 cm
Former Drovetti's collection
cat. 1606 = CGT 50062
Stele to Meretseger
From Deir el-Medina
19th dynasty
Limestone
Round-topped
Depiction of a serpent - a rearing
cobra - in front of an offering table.
The hood of the cobra is dilated. Her
head dress consists of two tall plumes
and a sun disk.
From Deir el-Medina
19th dynasty
Limestone
Round-topped
Depiction of a serpent - a rearing
cobra - in front of an offering table.
The hood of the cobra is dilated. Her
head dress consists of two tall plumes
and a sun disk.
Stela of Inherkau
From the Tomb of Inherkau at Deir el-Medina, TT 359
20th dynasty, reign of Ramesses III-V
Limestone
Inherkau was a foreman of the Lord of the Two Lands
in the Place of Truth, meaning he was in charge of
workmen in the royal necropolis. He flourished during
the reign of Ramesses IV and continued working into the
reign of Ramesses VII some 15 years later.
The top register of this round-topped stele shows 3
deities: Amun-Ra, Montu and the deified king
Amenhotep I.
The bottom register shows the deified queen
Ahmose-Nefertari and in front of her stands Raettawy,
"Raet of the Two Lands". She was the female
counterpart of the sun god Ra. She is depicted here in
a Hathor-like form as a woman wearing a solar disk
with horns and a uraeus,
From the Tomb of Inherkau at Deir el-Medina, TT 359
20th dynasty, reign of Ramesses III-V
Limestone
Inherkau was a foreman of the Lord of the Two Lands
in the Place of Truth, meaning he was in charge of
workmen in the royal necropolis. He flourished during
the reign of Ramesses IV and continued working into the
reign of Ramesses VII some 15 years later.
The top register of this round-topped stele shows 3
deities: Amun-Ra, Montu and the deified king
Amenhotep I.
The bottom register shows the deified queen
Ahmose-Nefertari and in front of her stands Raettawy,
"Raet of the Two Lands". She was the female
counterpart of the sun god Ra. She is depicted here in
a Hathor-like form as a woman wearing a solar disk
with horns and a uraeus,
Stele of Amenhotep I before Amun
From Deir el-Medina
18th dynasty
Limestone
The pharaoh holds a prisoner by his hair in front of
the god Amun who holds a scimitar of typical
half-moon shape in his hand.
C1452
From Deir el-Medina
18th dynasty
Limestone
The pharaoh holds a prisoner by his hair in front of
the god Amun who holds a scimitar of typical
half-moon shape in his hand.
C1452
Stelophorus statue with a stele
From Deir el-Medina
18th-19th dynasty
Limestone
This type of stele is so called stelophorous
statue. It consists of human figure holding
or offering stele. They were produced from
the 18th dynasty onwards. Such stelae
were usually inscribed with hymns to the
sun-god.
From Deir el-Medina
18th-19th dynasty
Limestone
This type of stele is so called stelophorous
statue. It consists of human figure holding
or offering stele. They were produced from
the 18th dynasty onwards. Such stelae
were usually inscribed with hymns to the
sun-god.
Stele of Pendua and Tyr
From Deir el-Medina
19th dynasty (1292-1186 BC)
Limestone
In the lower register Pendua and
his wife Tyr sit in the pose of
worshipping. Behind them their son
Huy and their daugher Tentenub
stand in the pose of adoration,
From Deir el-Medina
19th dynasty (1292-1186 BC)
Limestone
In the lower register Pendua and
his wife Tyr sit in the pose of
worshipping. Behind them their son
Huy and their daugher Tentenub
stand in the pose of adoration,
Stela of Nebre adoring Khonsu
From Deir el-Medina
19th dynasty
Painted limestone
Khonsu sits on a cube-like throne and waers on
his head the solar disc and half-moon. Next to
him there is an altar piled with food and
flowers. In the bottom register are the
"Draughtsman-scribe of Amun in the Place of
Truth", Nebre, and his son, Amenemope.
From Deir el-Medina
19th dynasty
Painted limestone
Khonsu sits on a cube-like throne and waers on
his head the solar disc and half-moon. Next to
him there is an altar piled with food and
flowers. In the bottom register are the
"Draughtsman-scribe of Amun in the Place of
Truth", Nebre, and his son, Amenemope.
Stele to Hathor and Meretseger
From Deir el-Medina
18th dynasty
Limestone
On the right Hathor is depicted
with the human-bovine face and a
naos containing an image of
Meretseger on her head.
From Deir el-Medina
18th dynasty
Limestone
On the right Hathor is depicted
with the human-bovine face and a
naos containing an image of
Meretseger on her head.
Photography © 2008 Su Bayfield & Hans Ollermann
Text by Su Bayfield & Lenka Peacock
Text by Su Bayfield & Lenka Peacock
Sources:
1. Roccati, Alessandro : The Egyptian Museum Turin
Istituto polygraphico e zecca dello stato Liberia della stato
2. Roccati, Alessandro : Museo Egizio, Torino
Roma : Istituto poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato, Libreria dello Stato, 2003.
93 p.
3. Curto, Silvio : L'antico Egitto nel Museo Egizio di Torino
Torino : Tipografia Torinese Editrice , 1984. 367 p.
4. Les artistes de Pharaon : Deir el-Médineh et la Vallée des Rois : Paris, musée du Louvre, 15 avril
- 5 aout 2002
Paris : Réunion des Musées Nationaux, 2002.
5. Tosi, Mario : La cappella di Maia : un pittore a Deir el-Medina
Torino : Artema, 1994. 82 p.
6. Janssen, Rosalind and Janssen, Jac. J.: Egyptian household animals
Aylesbury : Shire Publications, 1989.
7. McDowell, A.G.: Village life in ancient Egypt : laundry lists and love songs
Oxford : Oxford University Press, 1999.
8.Shaw, Ian, Nicholson, Paul: British Museum dictionary of ancient Egypt
London: British Museum Press, 1995.
9. Davies, Benedict G.: Who's who at Deir el-Medina : a prosopographic study of the royal workmen's
community
Leiden : Nederlands Instituut voor Her Nabije Oosten, 1999
10. Wilkinson, R. H. : The complete gods and goddesses of Ancient Egypt.
London : Thames & Hudson, 2003.
11. Collier, Mark and Manley, Bill: How to read Egyptian hieroglyphs : a step-by-step guide to teach
yourself
London : British Museum Press, 1998.
12. The Cairo Museum masterpieces of Egyptian art / edited by Francesco Tiradritti
London : Thames & Hudson, 1998.
13. Museum's own labels
1. Roccati, Alessandro : The Egyptian Museum Turin
Istituto polygraphico e zecca dello stato Liberia della stato
2. Roccati, Alessandro : Museo Egizio, Torino
Roma : Istituto poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato, Libreria dello Stato, 2003.
93 p.
3. Curto, Silvio : L'antico Egitto nel Museo Egizio di Torino
Torino : Tipografia Torinese Editrice , 1984. 367 p.
4. Les artistes de Pharaon : Deir el-Médineh et la Vallée des Rois : Paris, musée du Louvre, 15 avril
- 5 aout 2002
Paris : Réunion des Musées Nationaux, 2002.
5. Tosi, Mario : La cappella di Maia : un pittore a Deir el-Medina
Torino : Artema, 1994. 82 p.
6. Janssen, Rosalind and Janssen, Jac. J.: Egyptian household animals
Aylesbury : Shire Publications, 1989.
7. McDowell, A.G.: Village life in ancient Egypt : laundry lists and love songs
Oxford : Oxford University Press, 1999.
8.Shaw, Ian, Nicholson, Paul: British Museum dictionary of ancient Egypt
London: British Museum Press, 1995.
9. Davies, Benedict G.: Who's who at Deir el-Medina : a prosopographic study of the royal workmen's
community
Leiden : Nederlands Instituut voor Her Nabije Oosten, 1999
10. Wilkinson, R. H. : The complete gods and goddesses of Ancient Egypt.
London : Thames & Hudson, 2003.
11. Collier, Mark and Manley, Bill: How to read Egyptian hieroglyphs : a step-by-step guide to teach
yourself
London : British Museum Press, 1998.
12. The Cairo Museum masterpieces of Egyptian art / edited by Francesco Tiradritti
London : Thames & Hudson, 1998.
13. Museum's own labels
Photography © Hans Ollermann 2008:
Stele of Nakhy
Limestone
From Deir el-Medina
Round-topped
The stele was found in the niche of the chapel of May,
TT338 (18th dynasty)
New Kingdom, 18th-19th dynasty, about 1330-1290 BC
Originally from Drovetti's collection (1824)
Nakhy is adoring Osiris and Anubis, while his son Nakhtmin
adores the goddess Hathor. In the lower register Nakhy's
relatives appear in procession before their parents.
Height: 67 cm
Width: 42 cm
C.1586
Limestone
From Deir el-Medina
Round-topped
The stele was found in the niche of the chapel of May,
TT338 (18th dynasty)
New Kingdom, 18th-19th dynasty, about 1330-1290 BC
Originally from Drovetti's collection (1824)
Nakhy is adoring Osiris and Anubis, while his son Nakhtmin
adores the goddess Hathor. In the lower register Nakhy's
relatives appear in procession before their parents.
Height: 67 cm
Width: 42 cm
C.1586
Stele dedicated to the "Great Cat"
19th dynasty
Limestone
Stelae depicting cats usually refer to the sun god
or to a female deity. The inscription bears an
offering formula for the "beautiful and gracious
cat". Exactly which goddess is described is
uncertain since several, such as Bastet, Mut,
Sekhmet or Neith, were all connected with
felines.
Height: 16 cm
Width: 11 cm
Former Drovetti's collection
cat. 1600 = CGT 50053
19th dynasty
Limestone
Stelae depicting cats usually refer to the sun god
or to a female deity. The inscription bears an
offering formula for the "beautiful and gracious
cat". Exactly which goddess is described is
uncertain since several, such as Bastet, Mut,
Sekhmet or Neith, were all connected with
felines.
Height: 16 cm
Width: 11 cm
Former Drovetti's collection
cat. 1600 = CGT 50053
| The Turin Museum stelae from Deir el-Medina are principally rectangular, round-topped slabs of limestone decorated with either painted relief decoration or painting over a thin layer of plaster. Most stelae are of votive and funerary nature. They are decorated with scenes of an individual bearing offerings to a deity or a group of deities or simply in the act of worshipping the god or goddess, whose assistance was sought. The majority of stelae in the Turin museum formerly come from the Drovetti collection. The text on this page was written by Su Bayfield and Lenka Peacock, both from the UK. The photographs were taken by Su Bayfield, UK and Hans Ollermann, The Netherlands. |
Stele of Pashed
From Deir el-Medina
19th dynasty, around 1292-1186 BC
Limestone
The deceased is seated in front of an offering
table. A large open pomegranate containing a
great quantity of seeds appears under the chair.
C1570
From Deir el-Medina
19th dynasty, around 1292-1186 BC
Limestone
The deceased is seated in front of an offering
table. A large open pomegranate containing a
great quantity of seeds appears under the chair.
C1570
Stele of Ipuy
From Deir el-Medina
19th dynasty, around 1292-1186 BC
Limestone
The deceased was a painter and
sculptor at Deir el-Medina. His skills
were handed down from father to
son.
C7357
From Deir el-Medina
19th dynasty, around 1292-1186 BC
Limestone
The deceased was a painter and
sculptor at Deir el-Medina. His skills
were handed down from father to
son.
C7357
Stele of three generations of craftsmen
From Deir el-Medina
End of the 18th dynasty, around
1330-1292 BC
Limestone
C1619
From Deir el-Medina
End of the 18th dynasty, around
1330-1292 BC
Limestone
C1619
At the top, there is a scene of adoration of Osiris, Anubis and Hathor.
Below parents receive offerings from their children.
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Photography © 2008 Su Bayfield:
Stele of Djeserka
From Deir el-Medina
18th-19th dynasty, around 1550-1186 BC
Limestone
The deceased is seated on a stool with a
high back and legs with lion's paw feet.
Djeserka's brother, Hui, standing, is
purifying the offering table with water and
incense.
C.1604
From Deir el-Medina
18th-19th dynasty, around 1550-1186 BC
Limestone
The deceased is seated on a stool with a
high back and legs with lion's paw feet.
Djeserka's brother, Hui, standing, is
purifying the offering table with water and
incense.
C.1604
The page was last modified on July 17th 2008
Stele of Ahmose Nefertari
From Deir el-Medina
18th-19th dynasty, around 1550-1070 BC
Limestone
Amenhotep I Djeserkare (1525-1504 BC) was
the second pharaoh of the 18th dynasty. He
was probably still very young when he came to
the throne, so it is likely that his mother, the
queen Ahmose-Nefertari (c.1570-1505 BC)
served as regent for the first part of his reign.
They are jointly credited with the foundation of
Deir el-Medina, where they consequently
enjoyed personal religious cults until the late
Ramesside Period.
The inhabitants of Deir el-Medina venerated
the queen by dedicating statuettes, votive
stelae and food offerings.
From Deir el-Medina
18th-19th dynasty, around 1550-1070 BC
Limestone
Amenhotep I Djeserkare (1525-1504 BC) was
the second pharaoh of the 18th dynasty. He
was probably still very young when he came to
the throne, so it is likely that his mother, the
queen Ahmose-Nefertari (c.1570-1505 BC)
served as regent for the first part of his reign.
They are jointly credited with the foundation of
Deir el-Medina, where they consequently
enjoyed personal religious cults until the late
Ramesside Period.
The inhabitants of Deir el-Medina venerated
the queen by dedicating statuettes, votive
stelae and food offerings.
Stele dedicated to cats and swallows
From Deir el-Medina
19th dynasty, around 1292-1186 BC
Limestone
In the top register a swallow sits in front of
an offering table while in the lower register
Nakhamun and Khai kneel in adoration in
front of a worshipped cat.
Height: 14 cm
Width: 9 cm
Former Drovetti collection
cat. 1591 = CGT 50056
From Deir el-Medina
19th dynasty, around 1292-1186 BC
Limestone
In the top register a swallow sits in front of
an offering table while in the lower register
Nakhamun and Khai kneel in adoration in
front of a worshipped cat.
Height: 14 cm
Width: 9 cm
Former Drovetti collection
cat. 1591 = CGT 50056
Stele of a married couple
From Deir el-Medina
18th-20th dynasty, around 1550-1070 BC
Painted limestone
The round-topped stele is divided into two registers. The
top register contains a brightly painted offering scene.
The married couple sit in front of an offering table while
a standing priest purifies the content with water pouring
from a ewer-shaped vessel.
The bottom register consists of a hieroglyphic inscription
of two lines containing a standard offering formula with
its associated offering rites. The actual rendering of this
stereotypical phrase is notoriously obscure and still
exercises the minds of scholars. Whatever its original
form, the phrase had come to be treated as a fixed,
compound expression by the Middle Kingdom. It is
composed of three parts, which can be divided according
to the characteristic Egyptian expression found in each:
- htp-di an offering given
- prt-hrw a voice offering
- n k3 n for the ka of
The couple are making an offering to Osiris, lord of
Abydos, so that he may give a voice offering for their
souls.
From Deir el-Medina
18th-20th dynasty, around 1550-1070 BC
Painted limestone
The round-topped stele is divided into two registers. The
top register contains a brightly painted offering scene.
The married couple sit in front of an offering table while
a standing priest purifies the content with water pouring
from a ewer-shaped vessel.
The bottom register consists of a hieroglyphic inscription
of two lines containing a standard offering formula with
its associated offering rites. The actual rendering of this
stereotypical phrase is notoriously obscure and still
exercises the minds of scholars. Whatever its original
form, the phrase had come to be treated as a fixed,
compound expression by the Middle Kingdom. It is
composed of three parts, which can be divided according
to the characteristic Egyptian expression found in each:
- htp-di an offering given
- prt-hrw a voice offering
- n k3 n for the ka of
The couple are making an offering to Osiris, lord of
Abydos, so that he may give a voice offering for their
souls.
Stele dedicated to the god Ra-Horakhty on the
solar boat
From Deir el-Medina
19th dynasty
Limestone
On the cornice of the stele there is a winged
scarab, which sometimes replaces the winged
solar disk. In the lower register on the left,
four mummies are standing in front of a
tomb-pyramid of Deir el-Medina and two
persons who make offerings. They are Merira
and Hui, the two sons of the deceased Qen,
whose title was "Amun sculptor of the Place of
Truth ". Beside the mummies is a woman named
Takri, who cries with despair".
Cat 1635 = CGT 50074
Height: 57 cm
Width: 36 cm
solar boat
From Deir el-Medina
19th dynasty
Limestone
On the cornice of the stele there is a winged
scarab, which sometimes replaces the winged
solar disk. In the lower register on the left,
four mummies are standing in front of a
tomb-pyramid of Deir el-Medina and two
persons who make offerings. They are Merira
and Hui, the two sons of the deceased Qen,
whose title was "Amun sculptor of the Place of
Truth ". Beside the mummies is a woman named
Takri, who cries with despair".
Cat 1635 = CGT 50074
Height: 57 cm
Width: 36 cm
Ears in relief stele
19th dynasty
Limestone
This small, rectangular stele is carved in low relief with
two pairs of ears pierced in the lobe to hang earrings.
Depictions of ears on stelae were common in New Kingdom
Egypt. They related to a new religious concept in which
the relationship between the individual and a god was
closer and did not necessarily have to rely on the
mediation of a priest. The ears are a reference to the
divinity listening to the prayers of the faithful, who turn
to the god in search of favours such as the curing of
diseases.
Further there are two simple inscriptions: vertical
"nebet-hetepet who hears prayer, Lady of Heaven";
horizontal "User-satet." The name User-Satet, "Powerful
of Satet" was probably of Nubian origin, since Satet was a
Nubian goddess.
Height: 17 cm
Cat. 1546 = N.50026
From the Drovetti collection
19th dynasty
Limestone
This small, rectangular stele is carved in low relief with
two pairs of ears pierced in the lobe to hang earrings.
Depictions of ears on stelae were common in New Kingdom
Egypt. They related to a new religious concept in which
the relationship between the individual and a god was
closer and did not necessarily have to rely on the
mediation of a priest. The ears are a reference to the
divinity listening to the prayers of the faithful, who turn
to the god in search of favours such as the curing of
diseases.
Further there are two simple inscriptions: vertical
"nebet-hetepet who hears prayer, Lady of Heaven";
horizontal "User-satet." The name User-Satet, "Powerful
of Satet" was probably of Nubian origin, since Satet was a
Nubian goddess.
Height: 17 cm
Cat. 1546 = N.50026
From the Drovetti collection