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Stela of Setju

Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

False doors in the tomb led to the afterlife. They were a suitable place for offerings. Sethew, a very high palace official, here sits before an offering table stacked with loaves of bread in the shape of the hieroglyph for the word “field,” the source of food for offerings. The surrounding inscription promises him very large quantities of food, beverages, clothing, cosmetics, and ritual oils needed in the afterlife.
MEDIUM Limestone, pigment
  • Reportedly From: Giza, Egypt
  • DATES ca. 2500-2350 B.C.E.
    DYNASTY Dynasty 5
    PERIOD Old Kingdom
    DIMENSIONS 22 1/16 x 20 1/2 x 4 15/16 in., 119 lb. (56 x 52 x 12.5 cm, 54kg)  (show scale)
    ACCESSION NUMBER 37.34E
    CREDIT LINE Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund
    CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Stela inscribed for a man named Setju. The owner is represented seated before a table with offerings and inscriptions promising offerings. Condition: Broken in two pieces. Some staining around the join has occurred. Upper left hand edge much chipped and parts of hieroglyphs are missing. Lower right hand corner (flaring molding) broken off. Chips in molding under seated figure. Wig retains black paint. Green collar evident. Surface is chipped and green paint also evident along left side of relief (edge). Face badly chipped.
    MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view
    CAPTION Stela of Setju, ca. 2500-2350 B.C.E. Limestone, pigment, 22 1/16 x 20 1/2 x 4 15/16 in., 119 lb. (56 x 52 x 12.5 cm, 54kg). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 37.34E. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: , 37.34E_PS9.jpg)
    IMAGE overall, 37.34E_PS9.jpg., 2018
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