Ancient Egypt, Late Period, 26th to 31st Dynasty, ca. 664 to 332 BCE. A round-topped limestone stelae carved in shallow relief to serve as a marker for a grave. The deceased individual stands with his left arm extended, presenting an offering to the god Ptah. Ptah is mummiform, standing, and holding a was-scepter, with some now-illegible hieroglyphic text above his head - almost certainly a prayer to protect the deceased. Ptah was the creator god of the mighty city of Memphis, honored there and in Thebes, and patron to craftsmen and architects. The was-scepter is composed of a long, straight staff with a forked end topped by a highly stylized animal head. It was responsible for looking after the deceased, and often was included in tomb and coffin decoration; it was also associated with the city of Thebes. Size: 4.5" W x 5.75" H (11.4 cm x 14.6 cm); 7.2" H (18.3 cm) on included custom stand.

Provenance: private J.H. collection, Beaverton, Oregon, USA; ex New Jersey, USA collection

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#127747

Old break to bottom, with loss to one lower corner. Wear on surface, but most artwork is visible.