26th Dynasty, 664-525 BC. An asymmetrical terracotta temple cone with impressed text to the base mentioning 'the chief steward and overseer of chamberlains of the Divine Adoratrice, Amunemhat'; below a representation of a solar barque, two kneeling figures of Amenenhat worshipping and flanking two vertical double symmetrical inscriptions; the full inscription reading: Overseer of the scribes, overseer of the chamberlain of the Divine Adoratrice, Amunenhat. Cf. N. de Garis Davis, and M.F.L. Macadam, A Corpus on Egyptian Funerary Cones, Oxford, 1957, no.598; G. Dibley, and B. Lipkin, A Compendium of Egyptian Funerary Cones, London, 2013, p.181; for an illustrated article on funerary cones, see: Peter A. Clayton, The Name's Over the Door, Egyptian Funerary Cones, in Ancient Egypt, vol.14, issue 9, August/September 2013, pp.36-40. 633 grams, 15.5cm (6"). Ex Janssen collection, Netherlands; formerly with Sands of Time, Washington DC, USA with accompanying certificate EC6131. This double-line style of textual layout is unusual, as is the square format of the impression; most funerary cones have a circular impression. Early examples have been found from the Eleventh Dynasty, however, they are generally undecorated. During the New Kingdom, the cones were smaller in size and inscribed in hieroglyphs with stamped text typically bearing the names and titles of the deceased person, often including additional biographical data and epitaphs, as well as a short prayer. Funerary cones were normally inserted in rows above the entrance to the tomb. While the Theban necropolis has yielded most known funerary cones, they have also been discovered in a few other locations including as far south as Nubia. Any number of cones might exist for any one person, and they provide us with a considerable amount of the information on many non-royal ancient Egyptians. The name Amunemhat means 'Amun is in Front' and was a popular name for Pharaohs during the Twelfth Dynasty, and for high officials from the New Kingdom onward. The owner's tomb number at Thebes is not known.

Fine condition.