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Object Label

Seshat, whose name means “female scribe,” was the goddess of writing and record keeping. She was believed to have responsibility for recording regnal years and maintaining the House of Life, an archive containing Egypt’s sacred books. This fragment—found at the Pyramid Temple of Senwosret I—was copied from a relief carved at least three hundred years earlier for Pepy II, the last great ruler of the Old Kingdom.

Caption

Egyptian. Goddess Seshat, ca. 1919–1875 B.C.E.. Limestone, 20 11/16 x 23 1/4 in. (52.5 x 59 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 52.129. (Photo: Brooklyn Museum)

Culture

Egyptian

Title

Goddess Seshat

Date

ca. 1919–1875 B.C.E.

Dynasty

Dynasty 12

Period

Middle Kingdom

Geography

Place excavated: Lisht, Egypt

Medium

Limestone

Classification

Sculpture

Dimensions

20 11/16 x 23 1/4 in. (52.5 x 59 cm)

Credit Line

Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund

Accession Number

52.129

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