EGYPTIAN FRAGMENT OF SANDSTONE FUNERARY STELA

EGYPTIAN FRAGMENT OF SANDSTONE FUNERARY STELA
XXV Dynasty 747-664 BC. An Egyptian fragment of a funerary stela. This is likely the second register of the stela: the offerings for the deceased and part of his son's face performing funerary offering are still visible. The deceased son's name is recorded in the hieroglyphic inscription above the scene: " his beloved son Ptahemheb". Below this inscription, an attendant is depicted with a head-cone, which is a type of conical ornament used in ancient Egypt. This ornament is often seen in paintings and bas-reliefs but was only confirmed through archaeological evidence in 2009. To the right, a broad register displays votive food offerings, suggesting that the context of this relief served a religious or ceremonial role. Size: 380mm x 140mm; Weight: 2.9kg. Provenance: Private UK collection, acquired on the US art market; Ex. Secret Eye, New York, 1977; Ex. Arte Primitivo, New York, Important Classical, Egyptian, and Asian Antiquities, 8 October 2003, Lot 13; Ex. Donald Wonder (1938-2023), California & New Jersey, thence by descent. A copy of the original paperwork available.This item has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database and comes with a confirmation letter. This piece is accompanied by an authentication statement by Simone Musso, consultant curator for Egyptian antiquities at the Stibbert Museum, Florence, Italy, member of the Nuri Archaeological Expedition.