Statuette of the goddess Neith
Late Period
Neith was patron goddess of Sais and of the Dynasty 26 pharaohs, She has elements of a war goddess, and was regarded as a great creator goddess. Not surprisingly, cupreous statuary of the goddess proliferated during Dynasty 26. This example is a fine example of the facial style of mid Dynasty 26, and of the Saite female figural style with its heavy bosom and long slim hips.
The inscription records two beneficiaries, Nesnaisut and Pediese, whose relationship is not clear. They donated the statue in honor of the goddess at an unknown temple, but perhaps in Sais or Memphis, with the assistance of a temple doorkeeper (porter) Wahibreemkhebyt. The pattern occurs often on Saite donation statuary of gods, and points to systems through which the temples were equipped with divine statuettes.
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