Brooklyn Museum: Egyptian, Classical, and Ancient Middle Eastern Art: Donation Stela with a Curse

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Donation Stela with a Curse

One of the most characteristic monuments of the Third Intermediate Period (circa 1070–653 B.C.) is the donation stela, a commemorative inscription that records the gift of land to a temple or a member of the temple staff. The texts give the conditions of the gift and the penalties to be incurred by anyone violating the terms. The punishments are usually couched in the form of curses, which, contrary to popular belief, were rare in ancient Egypt.

In the frame above the text on this stela a triad of gods associated with the city of Mendes stands facing the Libyan prince Hornakht, ruler of Mendes at the time. The prince wears the characteristic Libyan feather on his head and a short kilt with a transparent overgarment. Acting as mediator, he presents the hieroglyph for "fields" to the assembled deities. Behind him stands a flute-playing priest with a shaven head, a member of the temple staff to whom the fields are being given. Named Ankhpakhered, he was flutist of the god Horpakhered (Harpocrates), whose name means "Horus the Child" and who is shown standing between Hornakht and the god Osiris.

Medium: Limestone
Place Found: Mendes, Egypt
Dates: year 22 of Sheshenq III, ca. 804 B.C.E.
Dynasty: XXII Dynasty
Period: Third Intermediate Period
Dimensions: 20 1/2 x 12 3/4 x 2 1/2 in., 41 lb. (52.1 x 32.4 x 6.4 cm, 18.6kg)
Collections: Egyptian, Classical, and Ancient Middle Eastern Art
Museum Location: This item is on view in Egypt Reborn: Art for Eternity, 19th Dynasty to Roman Period, Martha A. and Robert S. Rubin Gallery, 3rd Floor
Accession Number: 67.118
Credit Line: Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund
Image: Overall, 67.118_PS1.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2006

Collections: Egyptian, Classical, and Ancient Middle Eastern Art: Donation Stela with a Curse