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Offering Bearers

Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

On View: 19th Dynasty to Roman Period, Martha A. and Robert S. Rubin Gallery, 3rd Floor

Among the most common motifs found in Egyptian tombs is the formal presentation of offerings. The complete scene to which this fragment belonged showed a row of men bringing gifts to an offering table laden with bread, meat, fowl and metal vessels probably containing wine. Of particular interest is the brace of ducks or geese suspended from a hand at the far right. The style of the faces and the elaborate design of the costumes owe much to the inspiration of the Amarna Period. The composition of the scene, however, is far more formal than similar designs executed during the reign of Akhenaten.

MEDIUM Limestone, pigment
  • Reportedly From: Saqqara, Egypt
  • DATES ca. 1323–1250 B.C.E.
    DYNASTY late Dynasty 18 to early Dynasty 19
    PERIOD New Kingdom
    DIMENSIONS 15 7/8 x 19 1/8 in. (40.3 x 48.5 cm)  (show scale)
    ACCESSION NUMBER 37.1505E
    CREDIT LINE Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund
    CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Limestone tomb relief. At right, procession of funerary priests (two complete figures and portion of a third) bearing offerings. Priests have shaved heads and wear long, pleated skirts. At left, large mass of funerary offerings. Minute portions of lower portion of upper register preserved. Condition: Poor. Lower left portion lost as are adjoining portions of surface. Stone slightly salty. Remains of red paint on heads and bodies of priests. Lower portion was never worked; left edge had lost worked surface from salt action.
    CAPTION Offering Bearers, ca. 1323–1250 B.C.E. Limestone, pigment, 15 7/8 x 19 1/8 in. (40.3 x 48.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 37.1505E. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.37.1505E_wwg8.jpg)
    IMAGE installation, West Wing gallery 8 installation, CUR.37.1505E_wwg8.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2006
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    RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY
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