Scribes from Meketre's model granary, Middle Kingdom, Dynasty 12, reign of Amenemhat I, ca. 1975 b.c.
Egyptian; From the tomb of Meketre, western Thebes
Plastered and painted wood; H. of right–hand figure 6 1/6 in. (15.5 cm)
Rogers Fund and Edward S. Harkness Gift, 1920 (20.3.11)
Egyptian; From the tomb of Meketre, western Thebes
Plastered and painted wood; H. of right–hand figure 6 1/6 in. (15.5 cm)
Rogers Fund and Edward S. Harkness Gift, 1920 (20.3.11)
This model of a granary was discovered in a hidden chamber in the tomb of Meketre, an important official who began his career under Mentuhotep II of Dynasty 11 and continued to serve successive kings into early Dynasty 12. A set of detailed models depicting weaving, carpentry, and food production was placed in his tomb. They were intended to provide Meketre's spirit with everything it would need in the afterlife.
Early in his career, Wah was probably responsible for recording the goods brought to Meketre's granaries and other storerooms. A variety of writing surfaces were available to Egyptian scribes. One of the figures shown here writes on a whitewashed board, while the other uses a roll of papyrus.
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Index Terms
Art Movement/Style
Material and Technique
- Painted Wood
- Plaster
- Sculpture in the Round from Africa
- Sculpture in the Round from Egypt and Western North America
- Sculpture in the Round in Wood
- Sculpture, In the Round
