Reliefs from the tomb of Meketre
Unknown Artist
ca. 1981–1975 B.C.
Medium
Limestone, paint
Dimensions
H. 2.8 cm (1 1/8 in.); W. 3.2 cm (1 1/4 in.); D. 0.5 cm (3/16 in.)
Classification
Relief, tomb of Meketre
Period
Middle Kingdom
Department
Egyptian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Rogers Fund, 1931
Accession Number
31.3.170f
Art Historical Context
These delicate limestone reliefs hail from the tomb of Mre, a wealthy vizier and treasurer who served under pharaohs of Egypt's Middle Kingdom, specifically Dynasty 12 (ca. 1981–1975 B.C.). Discovered in his Theban tomb, these tiny carvings—measuring just 2.8 cm high and 3.2 cm wide—offer a glimpse into the refined artistry of this era, often called Egypt's "classical age" for its balanced realism and attention to everyday life. Acquired by the Metropolitan Museum of Art through the Rogers Fund in 1931, they exemplify the tomb goods meant to sustain the deceased in the afterlife. Crafted from...