<em>Stela of Amenemhat</em>, ca. 1938-1875 B.C.E. Limestone, pigment, 16 5/8 x 21 in. (42.3 x 53.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 37.1346E. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 37.1346E_SL1.jpg)

Stela of Amenemhat, ca. 1938-1875 B.C.E. Limestone, pigment, 16 5/8 x 21 in. (42.3 x 53.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 37.1346E. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 37.1346E_SL1.jpg)

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What is the significance of the woman holding the lily flower?

Thank you, I can read the number from the first label. Shabut appears to be holding a lotus flower, a common symbol in Ancient Egypt, associated with the all-important marshes where it grows as well as birth and rebirth.

What does this mean?

This is the Stela of Amunemhat. The hieroglyphs and the images discuss things Amunemhat wanted for a prosperous afterlife like lots of cattle, food, and fancy clothes.

When was this made?

This was carved around 1938-1875 BCE, so almost 4000 years ago! That time in Ancient Egypt was called the Middle Kingdom.

Stela of Amenemhat

Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

The four lines of hieroglyphic text at the top of this stela list what every Egyptian wanted in the afterlife: “thousands of portions of cattle, fowl, bread, alabaster, linen, and all kinds of green vegetables.” The inscription below mentions the name of the deceased, a man called Amunemhat, and his mother, Shabut. Amunemhat’s image appears just to the left of the offering table in the traditional place of honor. He was probably born in the reign of Amunemhat I and named for that king.

MEDIUM Limestone, pigment

Reportedly From: Saqqara, Egypt

DATES ca. 1938-1875 B.C.E.

DYNASTY early Dynasty 12

PERIOD Middle Kingdom

DIMENSIONS 16 5/8 x 21 in. (42.3 x 53.4 cm) (show scale)

COLLECTIONS Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

ACCESSION NUMBER 37.1346E

CREDIT LINE Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund

EXHIBITIONS

MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view

CAPTION Stela of Amenemhat, ca. 1938-1875 B.C.E. Limestone, pigment, 16 5/8 x 21 in. (42.3 x 53.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 37.1346E. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 37.1346E_SL1.jpg)

IMAGE overall, 37.1346E_SL1.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph

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RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY

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