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Statue of Ipepy

Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

On View: Old Kingdom to 18th Dynasty, Egyptian Galleries, 3rd Floor
This statue’s inscriptions indicate that it probably stood in a temple of the god Sobek. The inscriptions on the base, in the form of an offering table and a libation basin, appeal to passersby to recite an offering formula whose words magically contain the essence of what is offered, and to pour a revivifying libation for the subject of the statue, a man named Ipepy. The appeals face outward to the viewer, while the offerings face inward to Ipepy.
MEDIUM Quartzite, limestone
  • Place Found: Faiyum, Egypt
  • DATES ca. 1870-1750 B.C.E.
    DYNASTY late Dynasty 12 to early Dynasty 13
    PERIOD Middle Kingdom to Second Intermediate Period
    DIMENSIONS 12 x 9 x 13 7/16 in., 49 lb. (30.5 x 22.9 x 34.2 cm, 22.23kg)  (show scale)
    ACCESSION NUMBER 57.140a-b
    CREDIT LINE Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund
    CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Brown quartzite cube statue (B), of Ipp.i, son of Keky seated on plain base which is inserted in limestone base (A), in form of a table of offerings. Both pieces inscribed. Statue, bag wig, seamless cloak with one end clasped in right hand. Both hands are open, extended flat with palms down. Three lines of text (conventional offering formula), across front of statue. The limestone base is in form of high rectangle with top surface inscribed (contains the ‘appeal to the living’), and bearing relief representations of food offerings. A rare type. Condition: Nose of statue broken - otherwise statue is intact. Limestone base has scattered chips on edges of base, on front center and lower corner. Inscription directly on front of statue on base is chipped in center. Rear left corner of base was broken.
    MUSEUM LOCATION This item is on view in Old Kingdom to 18th Dynasty, Egyptian Galleries, 3rd Floor
    CAPTION Statue of Ipepy, ca. 1870-1750 B.C.E. Quartzite, limestone, 12 x 9 x 13 7/16 in., 49 lb. (30.5 x 22.9 x 34.2 cm, 22.23kg). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 57.140a-b. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 57.140a-b_view1_PS1.jpg)
    IMAGE overall, 57.140a-b_view1_PS1.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2007
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    RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY
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