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Lot Essay
PUBLISHED:
J.-F. Aubert, "Le mastaba de Seshemnéfer VI dit Héba," Orientalia, Nova Series, vol. 44, no. 1, 1975, pp. 1-11, pl. 3.
L. Delvaux and E. Warmenbol, 'Trois Seshemnéfer et trente-six domaines', The Journal of Egyptian Archaeology, Vol. 84, The Egyptian Exploration Society, 1998, pp. 57-69.
The tomb of Seshemnefer (also called Heba), Royal Chamberlain and Prophet of the Pyramids of Menkauhor and Djedkare (respectively the 7th and 8th rulers of the 5th Dynasty) at Sakkara, was excavated in 1860 by Mariette (see A. Mariette, Les mastabas de l'ancien empire, Paris, 1889, repr. Hildesheim and New York, 1976, pp. 398-400, no. E8). Carved in low relief with a procession of 3 female offering bearers wearing long, striated wigs and close fitting garments, each carries a basket on her head (probably filled with loaves of bread) supported by the left hand, with further offerings held in their other hands.
J.-F. Aubert notes (op.cit., p. 3) that the panel actually belongs to an earlier mastaba, re-used by Seshemnefer. This can be explained by the fact that the name of Seshemnefer and the nickname Heba, are both carved in relief in a slight depression roughly hollowed out. The traces that remain of the previous name are not enough to read the identify of the first owner of the vault.
Each offering bearer represents an estate owned by Seshemnefer, from which the offerings are brought, and from which the reserves would be used for the upkeep of the tomb. They are are named by the hieroglyphs directly in front. Of the name of the first estate, only the tail of an aleph-bird is recognisable. The middle figure is preceded as, 'The one who brings the water of Seshemnefer'. Similar estate names are known in other mastabas of the 5th and 6th Dynasty. The third figure is described by the name, 'The stake of Heba', written in a unique way.
In an exceptional state of preservation, this relief is part of a group published by J.-F. Aubert in 1975. He notes, "the elegance of the figures, their unshakeable procession, has a captivating effect, and their facial expression is the work of a great artist." The advanced left leg gives them a feeling of movement, and the artist was able to vary positions for each woman. The composition is cleverly balanced, with the void filled with carefully carved hieroglyphic inscriptions. The fine details of the parallel locks of hair, the subtle modelling of the cheeks and cheek bones, the broad collars, together with bracelets and ankle-lets, are signs of great artistic qualities.
J.-F. Aubert, "Le mastaba de Seshemnéfer VI dit Héba," Orientalia, Nova Series, vol. 44, no. 1, 1975, pp. 1-11, pl. 3.
L. Delvaux and E. Warmenbol, 'Trois Seshemnéfer et trente-six domaines', The Journal of Egyptian Archaeology, Vol. 84, The Egyptian Exploration Society, 1998, pp. 57-69.
The tomb of Seshemnefer (also called Heba), Royal Chamberlain and Prophet of the Pyramids of Menkauhor and Djedkare (respectively the 7th and 8th rulers of the 5th Dynasty) at Sakkara, was excavated in 1860 by Mariette (see A. Mariette, Les mastabas de l'ancien empire, Paris, 1889, repr. Hildesheim and New York, 1976, pp. 398-400, no. E8). Carved in low relief with a procession of 3 female offering bearers wearing long, striated wigs and close fitting garments, each carries a basket on her head (probably filled with loaves of bread) supported by the left hand, with further offerings held in their other hands.
J.-F. Aubert notes (op.cit., p. 3) that the panel actually belongs to an earlier mastaba, re-used by Seshemnefer. This can be explained by the fact that the name of Seshemnefer and the nickname Heba, are both carved in relief in a slight depression roughly hollowed out. The traces that remain of the previous name are not enough to read the identify of the first owner of the vault.
Each offering bearer represents an estate owned by Seshemnefer, from which the offerings are brought, and from which the reserves would be used for the upkeep of the tomb. They are are named by the hieroglyphs directly in front. Of the name of the first estate, only the tail of an aleph-bird is recognisable. The middle figure is preceded as, 'The one who brings the water of Seshemnefer'. Similar estate names are known in other mastabas of the 5th and 6th Dynasty. The third figure is described by the name, 'The stake of Heba', written in a unique way.
In an exceptional state of preservation, this relief is part of a group published by J.-F. Aubert in 1975. He notes, "the elegance of the figures, their unshakeable procession, has a captivating effect, and their facial expression is the work of a great artist." The advanced left leg gives them a feeling of movement, and the artist was able to vary positions for each woman. The composition is cleverly balanced, with the void filled with carefully carved hieroglyphic inscriptions. The fine details of the parallel locks of hair, the subtle modelling of the cheeks and cheek bones, the broad collars, together with bracelets and ankle-lets, are signs of great artistic qualities.