Statuette of Imhotep
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Object Label
Imhotep, an official of King Djoser in Dynasty 3, supervised the construction of the earliest known monumental stone structure, the Step Pyramid.
Over many centuries, ancient Egyptian reverence for Imhotep's wisdom grew until, by the Late Period, he was worshiped as a god. Images of the divine Imhotep show him dressed as an official. This statuette, from more than two thousand years after Imhotep's time, depicts him seated and holding a papyrus scroll.
Caption
Statuette of Imhotep, 381–30 B.C.E.. Coppery alloy, 6 15/16 × 2 3/16 × 4 5/8 in. (17.7 × 5.5 × 11.7 cm) H. w/tang: 7 9/16 in. (19.2 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 36.623. (Photo: Brooklyn Museum)
Gallery
Not on view
Gallery
Not on view
Title
Statuette of Imhotep
Date
381–30 B.C.E.
Dynasty
Dynasty 30, or later
Period
Late Period to Ptolemaic Period
Medium
Coppery alloy
Classification
Dimensions
6 15/16 × 2 3/16 × 4 5/8 in. (17.7 × 5.5 × 11.7 cm) H. w/tang: 7 9/16 in. (19.2 cm)
Credit Line
Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund
Accession Number
36.623
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