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Royal Offering Bearer

Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

On View: Old Kingdom to 18th Dynasty, Egyptian Galleries, 3rd Floor
When complete, the scene to which these two fragments belonged showed a long procession of female offering bearers. One figure carries a tall basket and the other brings a tray. In each case the contents are obscured by a cloth, but similar scenes indicate that these gifts were offerings of food. The Egyptians believed that food and drink were required to ensure the deceased’s continued existence in the afterlife.
MEDIUM Limestone, pigment
DATES ca. 2008–1957 B.C.E.
DYNASTY second part of Dynasty 11
PERIOD Middle Kingdom
DIMENSIONS 9 5/16 x 11 1/4 in. (23.7 x 28.5 cm)  (show scale)
ACCESSION NUMBER 56.126
CREDIT LINE Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund
CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Fragment of limestone relief. In sunk-relief, female offering bearer preserved to waist, supporting with right hand a basket on her shoulder; left arm pendant (incomplete) and originally clasping offerings. Wig black, body brown, basket and dress white. Red guide lines still in place. Background plain. Same series as 51.231, 53.178, 54.49. Condition: Incomplete. Areas adjoining left hand and head are damaged with loss of portion of head and basket. Paint worn.
MUSEUM LOCATION This item is on view in Old Kingdom to 18th Dynasty, Egyptian Galleries, 3rd Floor
CAPTION Royal Offering Bearer, ca. 2008–1957 B.C.E. Limestone, pigment, 9 5/16 x 11 1/4 in. (23.7 x 28.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 56.126. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.56.126_erg2.jpg)
IMAGE overall, CUR.56.126_erg2.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 11/26/2007
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RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY
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