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© Michael C. Carlos Museum, Emory University. Photo by Kay Hinton.
Funerary Cone of Mentuemhat
© Michael C. Carlos Museum, Emory University. Photo by Kay Hinton.
© Michael C. Carlos Museum, Emory University. Photo by Kay Hinton.
© Michael C. Carlos Museum, Emory University. Photo by Kay Hinton.
ClassificationsAncient Egyptian Art

Funerary Cone of Mentuemhat

Place FoundThebes, Egypt, Africa
CultureEgyptian
PeriodLate Period, Dynasty 25 - Dynasty 26, Reign of Taharqa - Psamtik
Date690-610 BCE
MediumCeramic
Credit LineGift of Sands of Time Antiquities
Dimensions10.1 x 8.2 cm (4 x 3 1/4")
Object number2009.037.006
Label TextMentuemhat was mayor of Thebes during a period of great political and societal turmoil in Egypt. His power and wealth is reflected in the size and decoration of his palatial tomb in Thebes (Theban Tomb 34). Funerary cones once placed above the entrance to his tomb provide valuable information on Mentuemhat's family as well as his political role in Egypt. The inscription on this cone tells us that in addition to serving as mayor, Mentuemhat was the Overseer of Upper Egypt.
Exhibition HistoryLost Kingdoms of the Nile: Nubian Treasures from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Michael C. Carlos Museum, February 9 - August 31, 2008
Published ReferencesChristie's New York, Antiquities (3 June 2009), 6, lot 11.
ProvenanceFrom Theban Tomb 34, Thebes, Egypt. Ex coll. Dr. Ulrich Muller, Zurich, Switzerland, acquried 1968-1978. With Sue McGovern-Huffman [Sands of Time Antiquities], Washington DC. With Christie's New York, June 3, 2009, lot 11 (unsold). Gifted to MCCM by McGovern-Huffman.
InscribedOsiris, hereditary noble, mayor, \ 4th Prophet of Amun, scribe of the Temple \ in the estate of Amun, inspector of prophets in the temples, \ Overseer of Upper Egypt, Mentuemhat, justified.
Catalogue raisonnéDavies and Macadam # 461, Daressy # 163
Status
Not on view
Collections
  • Ancient Egyptian, Nubian, and Near Eastern Art