Relief from the Pyramid Temple of Senwosret I, with Offering Bearers Middle Kingdom, Dynasty 12, reign of Senwosret I, ca. 1961–1917 B.C.E. Egypt, Memphite Region, Lisht South, Pyramid Temple of Senwosret I, Sanctuary, south wall, MMA 1908-1909 Limestone, paint, h. 146.7 cm (57 3/4 in); w. 128.9 cm (50 3/4 in); d. 14.6 cm (5 3/4 in) Excavated by the Egyptian Expedition of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Acquired by the Museum in the division of finds. Rogers Fund, 1909, MMA 09.180.13a, b |
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(From info card) "Senwosret I's pyramid temple at Lisht South culminated in an offering chamber that was dominated by depictions of offering bearers, piled offerings, the king seated before an offering table, and an offering list. Offering chambers appeared in royal monuments beginning in the Fifth Dynasty of the Old Kingdom, but they are also found earlier in chapels dedicated to nonroyal individuals, indicating that the divine king was believed to have some of the same needs as ordinary deceased mortals. "These heavily laden offering bearers are high officials; their titles are inscribed above them. The one at the right is a "high official, district administrator of Dep [Buto]"; the one at the left is an "acquaintance of the palace." Another "district administrator," now lost, was once at the very right. The figures come from the east end of the south wall of the chamber; the block border behind the second figure marks the edge of the door frame." |
