Raised relief fragment
Unknown Artist
664–610 B.C.
Medium
Limestone
Dimensions
5.5 x 6 x 3.2
Classification
Relief, Tomb of Nespekashuty
Period
Late Period, Saite
Department
Egyptian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Rogers Fund, 1923
Accession Number
23.3.973
Art Historical Context
This raised relief fragment, carved from limestone around 664–610 B.C., offers a tantalizing glimpse into the artistry of Egypt's Late Period, specifically the Saite dynasty (asty 26). Measuring just 5.5 x 6 x 3.2 inches, it likely originated from a temple or tomb wall, where such reliefs adorned sacred spaces to honor gods, pharaohs, or the journey. The Saite era marked a cultural renaissance, with artists reviving the refined techniques of Old Kingdom masters. Raised relief, in which figures are left proud against a recessed background, exemplifies this precision—carvers meticulously incise...