Relief of Nebhepetre Mentuhotep II and Queen Kemsit
Returned to lender
This work of art was on loan to the museum and has since been returned to its lender.This object is not part of The Met collection. It was in the Museum for a special exhibition and has been returned to the lender.
The decoration on the sides of the queens’ shrines was rendered in sunk relief. Here, Kemsit stands behind the king and embraces him. While this gesture of affection is endearing, it symbolized the ritual role of the queen, rather than expressing personal ties. The yellow and black background color imitates wood. Many of the forms of ancient Egyptian stone architecture were derived from constructions made of wood and other perishable materials.
The decoration on the sides of the queens’ shrines was rendered in sunk relief. Here, Kemsit stands behind the king and embraces him. While this gesture of affection is endearing, it symbolized the ritual role of the queen, rather than expressing personal ties. The yellow and black background color imitates wood. Many of the forms of ancient Egyptian stone architecture were derived from constructions made of wood and other perishable materials.
Artwork Details
- Title: Relief of Nebhepetre Mentuhotep II and Queen Kemsit
- Period: Middle Kingdom
- Dynasty: Dynasty 11
- Reign: Mentuhotep II
- Date: ca. 2030-2000 B.C.
- Geography: From Egypt, Upper Egypt; Thebes, Deir el-Bahri, Temple of Mentuhotep Nebhepetre
- Medium: Limestone
- Dimensions: 22 7/16 × 20 1/16 × 8 11/16 in. (57 × 51 × 22 cm)
- Credit Line: The Trustees of the British Museum, London
- Curatorial Department: Egyptian Art