Stela of Irethoreru
Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art
On View: 19th Dynasty to Roman Period, Martha A. and Robert S. Rubin Gallery, 3rd Floor
Beneath the wings of Horus the Behdetite, a manifestation of the solar god often found on stelae, or commemorative tablets, Irethoreru, at the right, makes an offering to the god of the underworld, Osiris, and his wife, Isis. The different shades of the stone have been successfully exploited for aesthetic purposes. Though the style of the representations is drawn from earlier periods, textual details suggest a Twenty-fifth Dynasty date.
MEDIUM
Syenite
DATES
ca. 775-653 B.C.E.
DYNASTY
Dynasty 25
PERIOD
Third Intermediate Period
DIMENSIONS
20 x 14 x 5 11/16 in. (50.8 x 35.5 x 14.5 cm)
(show scale)
ACCESSION NUMBER
07.422
CREDIT LINE
Gift of Alfred T. White and George C. Brackett
PROVENANCE
Archaeological provenance not yet documented; by 1907, acquired by Alfred T. White of Brooklyn, NY and George C. Brackett of Brooklyn, NY; July 1907, gift of Alfred T. White and George C. Brackett to the Brooklyn Museum.
Provenance FAQ
CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION
Black syennite (?) funerary stela of i’r.t-hr-i’r.w set up by his wife i’n-imn-n3y-nb.w. Above, in sunk relief, winged sun disk below which deceased makes offerings to Osiris and Isis. Eight lines of text.
Condition: Excellent. Small fragment missing from left edge - otherwise perfect. Excellent workmanship.
CAPTION
Egyptian. Stela of Irethoreru, ca. 775-653 B.C.E. Syenite, 20 x 14 x 5 11/16 in. (50.8 x 35.5 x 14.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Alfred T. White and George C. Brackett, 07.422. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.07.422_wwg8.jpg)
IMAGE
installation, West Wing gallery 8 installation,
CUR.07.422_wwg8.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2006
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RIGHTS STATEMENT
Creative Commons-BY
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What is happening here?
At the top of the Stela of Irethoreru, you can see Osiris (the main figure on top of a pedestal) being praised by the individual on the right, Irethoreru. The table in between them holds offerings. Behind Osiris is another deity, his wife, the goddess Isis.
Can I get more info about this piece?
The Stela of Irethoreru was designed for his tomb. Irethoreru can be seen all the way to the right wearing a long kilt of a high ranking official and making a gesture of worship towards Osiris and Isis. The tables between them hold offerings of food from the deceased to the gods.
