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Statue of Demedji and Hennutsen

Old Kingdom
ca. 2465–2438 B.C.
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 103
This pair statue, showing a husband and wife, is typical of non-royal statuary made during Dynasty 5 of the Old Kingdom. The bodies of both figures are well proportioned, though the woman's head is slightly offset to her right and her arms are unusually long. Typically, the faces are quite similar in spite of their different scales, but the features are well defined, giving each face an appealing expression. Special attention has been given to the coiffures, especially that of the woman.

Demedji was Overseer of the regions of foreign bowmen, and Overseer of the King's fortresses. Both titles imply a military function, perhaps in the deserts bordering the Nile delta. He was also Estate Manager of the King, and Overseer of the Herdsmen of Cattle. His wife, the royal acquaintance Hennutsen, was priestess of the goddesses Hathor and Neit. The statue was dedicated by their son, Ti, an Overseer of Marshes who may also be mentioned in the Abusir Papyri, suggesting that the statue was dedicated in early Dynasty 5.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Statue of Demedji and Hennutsen
  • Period: Old Kingdom
  • Dynasty: Dynasty 5
  • Reign: reign of Neferirkare or earlier
  • Date: ca. 2465–2438 B.C.
  • Geography: From Egypt; Probably from Memphite Region, Giza or Saqqara
  • Medium: Limestone, paint
  • Dimensions: H. 83 cm (32 11/16 in.); W. 50.8 cm ( 20 in.); D. 51 cm (20 1/16 in.)
    Height of Hennutsen H. 70 cm (27 9/16 in.)

    weight: 113.4–136.1 kg (250–300 lbs)
  • Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1951
  • Object Number: 51.37
  • Curatorial Department: Egyptian Art

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