Details

Object type

slab

Place Associated

Africa, Egypt, Upper Egypt, Dendera (place found)

Materials

limestone

Dimensions

overall: 420 x 480 x 80 mm

Description

This funerary slab, an early form of stela, was designed to fit over a grave pit and is characteristic of slabs used at Dendera in the First Intermediate Period (2181-2055 BC). It depicts in shallow raised relief the deceased, the king’s “sole companion” or courtier, Bebi, and his “beloved wife” Hut-hetepi. To our eyes she appears to be standing behind her husband, but she is in fact beside him, her left arm wrapped lovingly around his shoulders. According to the conventions of Egyptian art both figures must be as fully visible as possible. Before them are depicted offerings of food and drink as a source of nourishment for Bebi in the afterlife. The hieroglyphs give a standard version of the offering formula invoking Anubis, jackal god of embalming and the cemetery, to ensure these offerings are provided magically.

Credit Line/Donor

Gifted by the Egypt Exploration Fund, 1898

ID Number

1898.209.f

Location

In storage