Stela of the Chief Treasurer and Royal Chamberlain Tjetji
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 images on this stela show Tjetji receiving a wealth of offerings intended to sustain him in the afterlife. Characteristic of art at the dawn of the Middle Kingdom are the long stiff limbs, thick lips, and heavy cosmetic lines around the eyes. The extensive text on this stela describes events that took place during the reign of King Wahankh Intef II, under whom Tjetji served, just before the beginning of the Middle Kingdom. Intef II began the process of reunification by extending his rule over the eight southernmost nomes, or provinces, of Egypt. The text further relates the transition to the succeeding king, Nakhtnebtepnefer Intef III, under whom Tjetji proudly kept his former offices.
The images on this stela show Tjetji receiving a wealth of offerings intended to sustain him in the afterlife. Characteristic of art at the dawn of the Middle Kingdom are the long stiff limbs, thick lips, and heavy cosmetic lines around the eyes. The extensive text on this stela describes events that took place during the reign of King Wahankh Intef II, under whom Tjetji served, just before the beginning of the Middle Kingdom. Intef II began the process of reunification by extending his rule over the eight southernmost nomes, or provinces, of Egypt. The text further relates the transition to the succeeding king, Nakhtnebtepnefer Intef III, under whom Tjetji proudly kept his former offices.
Artwork Details
- Title: Stela of the Chief Treasurer and Royal Chamberlain Tjetji
- Period: Middle Kingdom
- Dynasty: Dynasty 11
- Date: ca. 2124-1981 B.C.
- Geography: Said to be from Egypt, Theban Region, Thebes
- Medium: Limestone
- Dimensions: 58 1/4 × 43 1/2 × 18 11/16 in. (148 × 110.5 × 47.5 cm)
- Credit Line: The Trustees of the British Museum, London
- Curatorial Department: Egyptian Art