Four Statues of the Artisan Inti-shedu. Giza; end of Fourth Dynasty (ca. 2465 B.C.E.). Painted limestone; H. 12 1/4–29 1/2 in. (31-75 cm). Egyptian Museum, Cairo (JE 98947, 98945, 98946, 98948).

These four limestone statues and the remains of a fifth made of wood were discovered in the serdab of Inti-shedu's tomb in a cemetery near the workmen's village, southeast of the Giza pyramids. They are all inscribed for Inti-shedu and were perhaps intended to represent various stages in his life. The inscriptions identify him as Overseer of the Boat of the Goddess Neith, and the large statue also calls him Royal Acquaintance. The well-preserved paint reveals interesting details that have been lost on many limestone statues. Noteworthy are the faux granite finish on the seat of one statue and the tied ends of the collar on the back of the smallest seated statue.