Egypt, Karnak Cachette, New Kingdom, late 18th-early 19th Dynasty (1319 - 1306 BCE) Granite, 21 × 13 × 13 in. (53.34 × 33.02 × 33.02 cm) William Randolph Hearst Collection LACMA #47.8.34

Museum CURATOR NOTES "This statue of a seated couple, Userhat, King's scribe and overseer of the granaries at Thebes (modern day Luxor), and his wife, Kha, are identified by the hieroglyphic text inscribed on their laps. An inscription on the front of Userhat's kilt describes him as "Royal Scribe of the Granary." The elegant garments and the naturalistic rendering of Userhat's torso suggest a late 18th or early 19th dynasty date. In a gesture of affection, the outline of Kha's hand appears wrapped around Userhat's left arm. The inscription on the statue also expresses their wish to take part in "everything which comes forth from upon the offering table for Amun of the City [Thebes]... A visitor to Karnak temple about a century after Userhat and Kha placed their statue in the temple attempted to make the statue his by carving an inscription on the blank sections of the statue. His inscription reads, "Giving plant offerings and incense by the wab priest Pawenhatweser, Son of Ip, his wife, the Lady of the House, Fekar. An offering which the king gives to Nut, that she may give all life and all health to Pawenhatwesir." This inscription can be roughly dated to the Late Period of ancient Egyptian history by Pawenhatwesir's name, which was a common name at that time."