Fragment of Tomb 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, painted
• 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: 7 1/16 x 10 1/2 in. (18 x 26.6 cm)
• Collection: Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art
• Museum Location: Brooklyn Museum, BMA, EXHIBITION-3, ECAMEA-3G81
• Accession Number: 49.18
• Image: 49.18.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 0,

Catalogue Description:
Fragment of limestone tomb relief. At left in raised relief, incomplete figure of seated man. In center, squatting scribe, body entirely frontal, facing left, holding in front of him a long palette. At right, large unidentified object (a misunderstood scribe's box?). Inscriptions in raised relief; left 'Stewart of the land of Lower Egypt'; center, 'Scribe of the gang of Lower Egypt?' Register division at top and bottom. Companion piece of 48.74 and 49.17. Remains of color on body of scribe and on hieroglyphs. Condition: Poor. Lower left area missing. Entire stone cracked and split along many fissures. Lower right area has surface deposit of salt. May have to be soaked for removal of salt. Photograph made of condition as received.