Fragment of Relief

Scenes of daily life, many of which may actually have had religious significance, were a basic element of private-tomb decoration until the first part of Dynasty XVIII. Their renewed popularity in tombs of Dynasties XXV and XXVI reflects that era's penchant for the past. It is uncertain whether the unusual frontal depiction of the scribe shown here is an archaism or an innovation of the relief's own time.

• Medium: Limestone
• Geographical Location: Thebes, Asasif, Egypt
• Dates: ca. 670-650 B.C.E.
• Dynasty: late XXV Dynasty-early XXVI Dynasty
• Period: late Third Intermediate Period-early Late Period
• Dimensions: 5 5/8 x 7 1/2 in. (14.3 x 19.1 cm)
• Collection: Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art
• Museum Location: Brooklyn Museum, BMA, EXHIBITION-3, ECAMEA-3G81
• Accession Number: 49.17
• Image: 49.17.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 0,

Catalogue Description:
Fragment of limestone relief. At left, in raised relief, incomplete seated man playing harp. At right, seated singer, right leg raised, right hand extended, left hand at ear. Above singer in raised relief [drawing of hieroglyphic inscription] ‘singer’; portion of same inscription at right. Relief is fragment from a register of musicians. Companion piece of 48.74 and 49.18. Condition: Poor. Very heavily saturated with salt. Slight restoration at upper right edge and on right elbow. Scattered remains of red paint on body of harper.