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Returned to lender The Met accepts temporary loans of art both for short-term exhibitions and for long-term display in its galleries.

Stela of the Overseer of the Western Desert Kay

Middle Kingdom

ca. 1981–1919 B.C.

Not on view

This object is not part of The Met collection. It was in the Museum for a special exhibition and has been returned to the lender.

The standing figures depicted here are Kay, overseer of the Western Desert and of hunters of the desert districts, and a woman who was either his wife or mother. The texts relate that Kay was "the best of the troops on a day of difficulty" and describe a trip to a western oasis during which he investigated desert roads and apprehended a fugitive. His five dogs of different breeds are individually designated with a name or number.

Stela of the Overseer of the Western Desert Kay, Limestone — Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Title: Stela of the Overseer of the Western Desert Kay

Period: Middle Kingdom

Dynasty: Early Dynasty 12

Date: ca. 1981–1919 B.C.

Geography: Probably from Egypt, Upper Egypt; Thebes, Kamala, W of Luxor

Medium: Limestone

Dimensions: H. 67 cm (26 3/8 in.); W. 34 cm (13 3/8 in.); D. 9 cm (3 9/16 in.)

Credit Line: Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, Ägyptisches Museum und Papyrussammlung

Accession Number: SL.3.2015.5.13

The Met

Egyptian Art at The Met

The Met's collection of ancient Egyptian art consists of approximately 26,000 objects of artistic, historical, and cultural importance, dating from the Paleolithic to the Roman period.