stela

Please enable JavaScript in your web browser to get the best experience.

Object Type
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
Findspot: Found/Acquired: Abydos
Materials
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
Location: Not on display
Condition: The stela has been slightly damaged by small gouges on the surface, and the edges are battered.
Subjects
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)

Free entry

Opening hours