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stela
Object Type
stela
Museum number
EA288
Description
Limestone stela of Ptahnakht: round-topped stela divided into three registers with figures in sunk relief and incised texts. In the upper part Osiris is seated on the left. Isis and Nephthys were intended to stand behind his throne, but only the figure of Nephthys has been carved with an extra arm representing Isis standing behind her. On the right stand in worship the guardian of writings Ptahnakhte, the chief guardian Huy, and the lady Naia. Above them eight columns of text name the figures. In the second register one man and seven females are kneeling. The name of 'Iỉm is squeezed above the male figure. Twelve columns of text name the ladies. The names exceed the number of carved figures. In the third register six male and two female figures are depicted in a similar attitude below eleven columns of text. The stela has been slightly damaged by small gouges on the surface, and the edges are battered. Traces of red paint remain on the bodies of the figures and in some of the hieroglyphs. There are traces of orange in the pedestal of the throne of Osiris.
Cultures/periods
Ramesside
Findspot
Found/Acquired:
Abydos
Materials
limestone
Technique
painted
incised
Dimensions
Height:
50 centimetres
Weight:
18 kilograms
Width:
36.50 centimetres
Depth:
10 centimetres
$Inscriptions
Curator's comments
Bibliography: The British Museum, 'A guide to the Egyptian galleries (Sculpture)' (London, 1909), 242 (no. 888).
Bibliographic references
Bierbrier 1993 / Hieroglyphic texts from Egyptian stelae, etc., in the British Museum, Part 12.
(Pl.58-59)
Location
Not on display
Condition
The stela has been slightly damaged by small gouges on the surface, and the edges are battered.
Subjects
ancient egyptian deity
Associated names
Named in inscription & portrayed:
Ptahnakht
(deceased)
Named in inscription & portrayed:
Huy
Named in inscription & portrayed:
Naia
Named in inscription & portrayed:
Tay
Named in inscription & portrayed:
Mutemweskhet
Named in inscription & portrayed:
Merytptah
Named in inscription & portrayed:
Renut
Named in inscription & portrayed:
Baketmut
Named in inscription & portrayed:
Tamit
Named in inscription & portrayed:
Mutemwia
Named in inscription & portrayed:
Pangeru
Named in inscription & portrayed:
Ramose
Named in inscription & portrayed:
Ptahmose
Named in inscription & portrayed:
Neferrenpet
Named in inscription & portrayed:
Tanhesy
Named in inscription & portrayed:
Takari
Representation of:
Osiris
Representation of:
Nephthys
Acquisition name
Purchased from:
Henry Salt
Purchased through:
Sotheby's
Acquisition date
1835
Acquisition notes
Lot 434 at sale.
Department
Egypt and Sudan
BM/Big number
EA288
Registration number
.288
Additional IDs
Miscellaneous number:
BS.288
(Birch Slip Number)