Relief, tomb of Khety: sacred emblems
These fragments are the remains of a representation of the age-old symbol of Abydos, pilgrimage place for the god Osiris. The emblem consists of a cone-shaped element at the center that is bound at the upper and lower end with a ribbon and adorned with a feather or two on top. On both sides, cobras emerge from the stem of the cone, defending the emblem with their raised shields and venom-spewing mouths. The emblem rests on the ground in a semicircular foot.
There were evidently at least two of these sacred objects on Khety’s walls because the snake body on the fragment at left was clearly executed by a different artist than the one on the right.
There were evidently at least two of these sacred objects on Khety’s walls because the snake body on the fragment at left was clearly executed by a different artist than the one on the right.
Artwork Details
- Title: Relief, tomb of Khety: sacred emblems
- Period: Middle Kingdom
- Dynasty: Dynasty 11
- Reign: reign of Mentuhotep II
- Date: ca. 2051–2000 B.C.
- Geography: From Egypt, Upper Egypt, Thebes, Deir el-Bahri, Tomb of Khety (TT 311, MMA 508), MMA excavations, 1922–23/1926–27
- Medium: Limestone, paint
- Dimensions: H. 40 x W. 32 cm (15 3/4 x 12 5/8 in.)
- Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1926
- Object Number: 26.3.354f
- Curatorial Department: Egyptian Art
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ca. 2051–2000 B.C.
ca. 2010–2000 B.C.
ca. 2030–2000 B.C.
656–650 BC
ca. 2010–2000 B.C. or ca. 2000–1981 B.C.
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