Fragment of relief with a figure?
Unknown Artist
ca. 2649–2100 B.C.
Medium
Limestone
Dimensions
H. 20.6 × W. 30 × D. 7.8 cm (8 1/8 × 11 13/16 × 3 1/16 in.)
Classification
Relief fragment, figure
Period
Old Kingdom
Department
Egyptian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Rogers Fund and Edward S. Harkness Gift, 1922
Accession Number
22.3.325
Art Historical Context
This intriguing fragment of limestone relief, dating to Egypt's Old Kingdom Dynasty 6 (ca. 2649–2100 B.C.), offers a tantalizing glimpse into the artistry of ancient tomb decoration. Carved during the late Old Kingdom—a time of monumental pyramid-building and elaborate funerary practices—this piece likely originated from a noble's tomb wall. The partial figure, though unidentified, exemplifies the Egyptians' skill in capturing human form to ensure eternal sustenance for the deceased, reflecting deeply held beliefs in the afterlife. Crafted from fine-grained limestone, a favored medium for its...