Block depicting Niankhwadjet from the frame of the false door niche of her husband Mery
On the large, vertical block of relief, Niankhwadjet inhales the scent of a lotus, associated with rebirth because the flower opens each morning for the sun. Her daughter Djefaibi, one hand on her chest in a respectful gesture, clings to her mother's leg. On the perpendicular surface at the right may be seen part of the figure of Mery, Niankhwadjet's husband and the owner of the mastaba
in which these chapel reliefs were found. A portion of a lintel block (67.50) gives some of Mery's priestly and administrative titles.
These two blocks originally formed part of a deep niche in a double recessed false door. The figure of Mery would have been seen on the front of the door frame of one niche, and his wife would have appeared on the inner side, where she would have flanked yet another figure of Mery. Deep false-door niches of this kind that physically evoke a space of passage were popular
in the first half of the Fourth Dynasty.
in which these chapel reliefs were found. A portion of a lintel block (67.50) gives some of Mery's priestly and administrative titles.
These two blocks originally formed part of a deep niche in a double recessed false door. The figure of Mery would have been seen on the front of the door frame of one niche, and his wife would have appeared on the inner side, where she would have flanked yet another figure of Mery. Deep false-door niches of this kind that physically evoke a space of passage were popular
in the first half of the Fourth Dynasty.
Artwork Details
- Title: Block depicting Niankhwadjet from the frame of the false door niche of her husband Mery
- Period: Old Kingdom
- Dynasty: Dynasty 4
- Date: ca. 2575–2520 B.C.
- Geography: From Egypt, Memphite Region, Saqqara, Djoser precinct, north of the Step pyramid
- Medium: Limestone
- Dimensions: H. 128 × W. 33 × D. 14.5 cm (50 3/8 × 13 × 5 11/16 in.)
- Credit Line: Museum Accession
- Object Number: X.179
- Curatorial Department: Egyptian Art
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ca. 2446–2389 B.C.
ca. 2381–2323 B.C.
ca. 2446–2389 B.C.
ca. 2446–2389 B.C.
ca. 2446–2389 B.C.
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