Stela of Setju

ca. 2500–2350 B.C.E.

1 of 8

Object Label

False doors in the tomb led to the afterlife. They were a suitable place for offerings. Sethew, a very high palace official, here sits before an offering table stacked with loaves of bread in the shape of the hieroglyph for the word “field,” the source of food for offerings. The surrounding inscription promises him very large quantities of food, beverages, clothing, cosmetics, and ritual oils needed in the afterlife.

Caption

Stela of Setju, ca. 2500–2350 B.C.E.. Limestone, pigment, 22 1/16 x 20 1/2 x 4 15/16 in., 119 lb. (56 x 52 x 12.5 cm, 54kg). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 37.34E.

Title

Stela of Setju

Date

ca. 2500–2350 B.C.E.

Dynasty

Dynasty 5

Period

Old Kingdom

Geography

Reportedly from: Giza, Egypt

Medium

Limestone, pigment

Classification

Sculpture

Dimensions

22 1/16 x 20 1/2 x 4 15/16 in., 119 lb. (56 x 52 x 12.5 cm, 54kg)

Credit Line

Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund

Accession Number

37.34E

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