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Padimahes

Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

Block statues show their subject seated on the ground with knees drawn up to the chest, resulting in a block-like form. Placed on the floor of a temple, block statues represented their owners with the head slightly tilted upwards, as if observing all temple rites and processions. Depicted this way, the priest Padimahes could eternally partake in the rituals performed for the gods. While a cloak envelops his legs and torso, his carefully modeled arms and feet remain uncovered—a somewhat unusual feature in statues of this type.
CULTURE Egyptian
MEDIUM Granodiorite with feldspar phenocrystals
  • Possible Place Collected: Taremou (Leontopolis), Egypt
  • DATES ca. 760–525 B.C.E.
    DYNASTY late Dynasty 25 to early Dynasty 26
    PERIOD Third Intermediate Period to Late Period
    DIMENSIONS 18 1/4 x 8 11/16 x 12 5/8 in., 115 lb. (46.3 x 22 x 32.1 cm, 52.16kg)  (show scale)
    ACCESSION NUMBER 64.146
    CREDIT LINE Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund
    CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Grey granite block statue of man with arms crossed right over left, palms flat; arms not covered; feet bare, wide wig; head distinctly raised, chin beardless. Base square in front, round corners in rear. Broad back pillar with three columns of text; one line around base and six lines on front of garment; one short column on top of base between feet. Name Pa-dy-ma-hes. Condition: Front left corner of base and left foot broken off apparently long ago and replaced slightly misaligned. Cracked in many places on rear and sides, but entirely intact, especially face. Some slight chips; right rear corner missing.
    MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view
    CAPTION Egyptian. Padimahes, ca. 760–525 B.C.E. Granodiorite with feldspar phenocrystals, 18 1/4 x 8 11/16 x 12 5/8 in., 115 lb. (46.3 x 22 x 32.1 cm, 52.16kg). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 64.146. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 64.146_front_PS1.jpg)
    IMAGE front, 64.146_front_PS1.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2006
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    RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY
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