Collections: Egyptian, Classical, and Ancient Middle Eastern Art: Nes-Peka-Shuti Relief: Fragmentary Block

Nes-Peka-Shuti Relief: Fragmentary Block

Nespaqashuty, the vizier of Upper (southern) Egypt early in the Twenty-sixth Dynasty, was one of the two most important officials in the land. He began a large tomb for himself at Thebes, but he died before it was finished. The relief decoration had begun to be carved on blocks of fine limestone that lined the poor stone of the walls. A few of the reliefs were finished, but many had just been carved in outline and others had only been drawn in red. In later centuries, many of the blocks fell or were pulled from the walls and some were burned to make lime. The surviving scenes on these blocks show a row of offering bearers eternally bringing food and other necessities. Above them are scenes of a boat trip to the temple of the god of the dead, Osiris, at Abydos, and groups of male and female mourners at Nespaqashuty's funeral.


This text refers to these objects: 68.1; 52.131.10; 52.131.3; 52.131.4; 52.131.5; 52.131.6; 52.131.7; 52.131.8; 52.131.9; 52.131.11; 52.131.12; 52.131.13; 52.131.14; 52.131.15; 52.131.16; 52.131.17; 52.131.18; 52.131.19; 52.131.20; 52.131.21; 52.131.22; 52.131.23; 52.131.24; 52.131.25; 52.131.26; 52.131.27; 52.131.28; 52.131.29; 52.131.30; 52.131.31; 52.131.32

• Medium: Limestone
• Place Found: Thebes (Deir el Bahri), Egypt
• Dates: ca. 664-610 B.C.E.
• Dynasty: XXVI Dynasty
• Period: Late Period
• Dimensions: 13 1/8 x 6 1/4 in. (33.3 x 15.9 cm)
• Collections: Egyptian, Classical, and Ancient Middle Eastern Art
• Museum Location: This item is on view in Egypt Reborn: Art for Eternity, Temples and Tombs, Martha A. and Robert S. Rubin Gallery, 3rd Floor
• Accession Number: 52.131.13
• Credit Line: Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund
• Catalogue Description: One of four fragmentary sections of limestone relief from the second register of east wall, tomb of Nes-peka-shuti. All scenes from the voyage to Abydos. Nos. 13-15 are from left end of register and include portion of large boat with crew, owner and wife under canopy on boat, and at extreme right of register, no. 16 which contains only an inscription drawn in red. This last section joins to right end of relief, 52.131.1-I. Usual line of inscription in raised relief at upper edge of nos. 13-15. Condition: Poor. All scenes incomplete with numerous chips and flaked areas. No. 16 is only a fragment from the upper edge of a block. It is broken in addition.