Relief from the mortuary temple of Senwosret I Egypt (el-Lisht, court of the pyramid temple of Senwosret I), Middle Kingdom, Dynasty 12, 1971–1926 B.C.E. Limestone, Height x width x thickness: 52 x 58.3 x 13 cm (20 1/2 x 22 15/16 x 5 1/8 in.) Museum of Fine Arts, Boston—Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York Exchange 1954, MFA #54.645 Photos © Joan Ann Lansberry "In a royal mortuary temple, the king was the focus of worship and the principal subject of the decoration. This fragment comes from the upper part of a scene in the funerary temple adjacent to King Senwosret I's pyramid at el-Lisht. The falcon represents Behdet, a form of the sky god Horus, the patron deity of kingship. He holds the hieroglyph for 'life' and is identified as 'the great god, lord of the sky.' Below him is the upper part of the king's name, introduced by the title 'Son of Ra.' Sunk relief like this was usually used on the exterio of buildings, where it showed up well in the strong sunlight. It is therefore likely that this fragment once decorated an open courtyard." (From info card)

Fragment of door jamb with names and titles of Senwosret I Egypt (el-Lisht, court of the pyramid temple of Senwosret I), Middle Kingdom, Dynasty 12, 1971–1926 B.C.E. Limestone, Height x width x depth: 86 x 59.7 x 13.3 cm (33 7/8 x 23 1/2 x 5 1/4 in.) Museum of Fine Arts, Boston—Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York Exchange 1954, MFA #54.646 Photos © Joan Ann Lansberry

"Ancient Egyptian kings held a series of royal titles. The first, or 'Horus' name, identified him with the god Horus. The second name invoked the protection of the patron deities of Upper and Lower Egypt, the vulture goddess Nekhbet and falcon goddes Wadjet. The third was the 'Golden Horus' name, introducted by a falcon atop the hieroglyph for 'gold'. The fourth and fifth names, written inside oval cartouches, were the king's throne name, taken at the time of his accession, and his personal name. Meant to be read from top to bottom and right to left, the right column of this fragment contains the 'Two Ladies' name and the top of the throne name. The left column gives the 'Golden Horus' name, followed by 'the beautiful god, lord of the Two Lands, Senwosret.' The lower part of the king's name is missing." (From info card)

The Metropolitan Museum has more fragments of Senwosret I