NEW KINGDOM, XVIII DYNASTY, 1550-1292 B.C.

Details

AN EGYPTIAN ALABASTER STELE
NEW KINGDOM, XVIII DYNASTY, 1550-1292 B.C.
Round-topped, carved in sunk relief with two registers, the upper with the figure of the ram-headed god Khnoum and the frog-headed goddess Heket, both holding was-scepters, inscription above reading: 'Khnoum god of Her-our, Heket, lady of Her-our', the lower register with the dedicant holding an incense burner and pouring a libation into a lotus cup, with three vertical columns of hieroglyphs reading: 'A gift which the king gives to all the gods of Neferusy, that they give all that comes forth from their presence every day, for the Ka of the scribe, overseer of the granary, Djehouty-mes' and one horizontal line, reading: 'son of the scribe, overseer of the granary, Nehem-away'
10 in. (25.5 cm.) high

Provenance

Matossian collection, France.
Philippe 'B' collection, France; acquired circa 1950.
Accompanied by a French passport.

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Lot Essay

Khnoum and Heket were local gods of both Egyptian cities of Her-Wer and Neferusy, located near the ancient Hermopolis, where this stela might come from. It is known today as El-Ashmunein, opposite Tell-el-Amarna in Middle Egypt. The elongated figures are typical examples of the feminisation of the 18th Dynasty. Less common is the scene of pouring the libation into a lotus cup, but it can be found in other New Kingdom stelae from provincial sources. Also, having two registers and vertical columns of hieroglyphs in front of the dedicant is usually found on adoration and prayer stelae and not Hetep-di-nesu-offering stelae.

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