Collections: Egyptian, Classical, and Ancient Middle Eastern Art: Seated Statue of Nakhtsaes

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Seated Statue of Nakhtsaes

Except for the loss of the head, this statue of a man named Nakhtsaes is in unusually good condition. Nakhtsaes's name and job titles are written in the vertical strips of hieroglyphs beside his legs and feet. A rather unusual feature of this statue is that figures are shown in relief on the sides of the seat. To Nakhtsaes's left are a naked boy named Akhet-hotep and a girl or woman named Weseret-kaw, whose relationship to Nakhtsaes is not specified. The figure on his right side, who is shown writing on a piece of papyrus, is identified as "the scribe Sekhem-ka," He is equipped with a second pen, which is stuck in his hair.

• Medium: Limestone, painted
• Possible Place Collected: Saqqara, Egypt
• Dates: ca. 2371–2298 B.C.E.
• Dynasty: late V Dynasty or early VI Dynasty
• Period: Old Kingdom
• Dimensions: 24 1/2 x 10 1/4 x 16 3/4 in. (62.2 x 26 x 42.5 cm)
• Collections: Egyptian, Classical, and Ancient Middle Eastern Art
• Museum Location: This item is on view in Egypt Reborn: Art for Eternity, Old Kingdom to 18th Dynasty, Egyptian Galleries, 3rd Floor
• Accession Number: 37.22E
• Credit Line: Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund
• Image: Front, 37.22E_front_PS1.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2007
Seated Statue of Nakhtsaes, ca. 2371–2298 B.C.E. Limestone, painted, 24 1/2 x 10 1/4 x 16 3/4 in. (62.2 x 26 x 42.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 37.22E (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 37.22E_front_PS1.jpg)
• Catalogue Description: Seated limestone statue of Nakhtsais bearing relief representations on the sides of the chair. Nakhtsais wears a short kilt. His left hand is palm down on his left knee; his right hand, rolled in a fist, rests upon his right knee. The seat's plinth is rounded in the front. The rear of the seat extends up to chest level. On the front of the seat there are two columns of hieroglyphs which run down onto the top of the plinth. To the left of the legs is an inscription, as well as to the right. In a rectangular panel on the left side of the seat there is a representation in raised relief of a standing nude boy and girl and two texts. On the opposite side in raised relief is a scribe holding a papyrus and pen. He is identified as the "Scribe Sekhemka." These figures are painted the red used for human figures. The hieroglyphs accompanying them are done in black. The seat is black and the hieroglyphs on the front are green. The figure bears traces of red paint.