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Property from a Connecticut Private Collection
AN EGYPTIAN LIMESTONE STELE FRAGMENT FOR SHEPSET
FIRST INTERMEDIATE PERIOD, 2134-2040 B.C.
Details
AN EGYPTIAN LIMESTONE STELE FRAGMENT FOR SHEPSET
FIRST INTERMEDIATE PERIOD, 2134-2040 B.C.
The figure of Shepset sculpted in raised relief within a recessed rectangular panel, depicted wearing a tripartite wig, a broad collar, a tightly-fitted sheath, bracelets and anklets, holding a lotus blossom by the stem before her, her right arm along her side, the offerings, including leeks and a leg of beef, piled high before her upon a table, all sculpted in sunk relief, the panel framed above and to the right with hieroglyphic text with the Hetep-di-nesu offering formula, reading, "An offering which the King gives, and Anubis, who is in the embalming place, lord of the cemetery: invocation-offerings for the Sole Lady-in-Waiting, the venerated one, Shepset, whose beautiful name is Ipi," preserving extensive polychromy including black for the wig, blue for the garment, jewels and hieroglyphs, yellow for flesh tones and offerings, and red for the lotus and offerings, a black band of zigzag framing the scene
16¾ in. (42.5 cm.) high
FIRST INTERMEDIATE PERIOD, 2134-2040 B.C.
The figure of Shepset sculpted in raised relief within a recessed rectangular panel, depicted wearing a tripartite wig, a broad collar, a tightly-fitted sheath, bracelets and anklets, holding a lotus blossom by the stem before her, her right arm along her side, the offerings, including leeks and a leg of beef, piled high before her upon a table, all sculpted in sunk relief, the panel framed above and to the right with hieroglyphic text with the Hetep-di-nesu offering formula, reading, "An offering which the King gives, and Anubis, who is in the embalming place, lord of the cemetery: invocation-offerings for the Sole Lady-in-Waiting, the venerated one, Shepset, whose beautiful name is Ipi," preserving extensive polychromy including black for the wig, blue for the garment, jewels and hieroglyphs, yellow for flesh tones and offerings, and red for the lotus and offerings, a black band of zigzag framing the scene
16¾ in. (42.5 cm.) high
Provenance
Dr. E. Ungar, Mexico City, acquired prior to 1970.
The Property of a Lady (stepdaughter of Dr. Ungar); Sotheby's, London, 10 July 1992, lot 388.
The Property of a Lady (stepdaughter of Dr. Ungar); Sotheby's, London, 10 July 1992, lot 388.
Exhibited
Museum Rietberg, Zurich, 1970-1992.