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Relief Fragment with Hieroglyphs

Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

On View: 19th Dynasty to Roman Period, Martha A. and Robert S. Rubin Gallery, 3rd Floor
Egyptian hieroglyphs use images of humans, animals, plants, and objects to represent sounds as well as complete words. The intricacy and beauty of some signs qualify them as miniature works of art. These highly detailed and brightly painted hieroglyphs once formed part of a religious inscription on a square pillar or corner of a tomb. Most Egyptian reliefs were once as colorful as this text.
MEDIUM Limestone, pigment
  • Reportedly From: Thebes, Egypt
  • DATES ca. 1426–1190 B.C.E.
    DYNASTY Dynasty 18 to Dynasty 19
    PERIOD New Kingdom
    DIMENSIONS 15 x 12 3/4 x 4 3/4 in. (38.1 x 32.4 x 12.1 cm)  (show scale)
    ACCESSION NUMBER 37.1892E
    CREDIT LINE Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund
    CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Limestone fragment of the corner of a tomb wall inscribed on two sides, which are perpendicular to each other, with hieroglyphs in raised relief. Seen from above the fragment is roughly a right-triangle in shape. The ground is painted a pale blue. The hieroglyphs are painted in the following manner: the hair of the seated men, the "neb" basket, the top of the vases, the "was" scepters, and the border lines are green; human skin, the "mdw" staff, the bottom vases and the outlines of the white garments of the seated figures are brown. The quail chick is yellow with brown outlines and green feet. The "ntr" sign is yellow with brown outlines and details. The border pattern is composed of yellow, green, red and blue (?) rectangles separated by small white rectangles. Condition: Large crack in paint in first column of text on side A; paint missing in spots on both sides A and B.
    CAPTION Relief Fragment with Hieroglyphs, ca. 1426–1190 B.C.E. Limestone, pigment, 15 x 12 3/4 x 4 3/4 in. (38.1 x 32.4 x 12.1 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 37.1892E. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 37.1892E_PS9.jpg)
    IMAGE overall, 37.1892E_PS9.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2015
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    RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY
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