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Triad of Pehenptah and Amendjefaes

Egyptian
Old Kingdom, Dynasty 5 or 6
2465–2150 B.C.
Findspot: Egypt, Giza, Tomb G 5280

Medium/Technique Limestone
Dimensions Overall: 64.5 x 43 x 40.6 cm (25 3/8 x 16 15/16 x 16 in.)
Case (painted wooden pedestal): 90.5 x 50.8 x 50.8 cm (35 5/8 x 20 x 20 in.)
Case (plex-bonnet): 77.2 x 50.8 x 50.8 cm (30 3/8 x 20 x 20 in.)
Credit Line Harvard University—Boston Museum of Fine Arts Expedition
Accession Number13.4330
NOT ON VIEW
ClassificationsSculpture

DescriptionThe Egyptians occasionally usurped the statues of their predecessors by reinscribing them with new names and titles. In other cases they symbolically destroyed the memory and the chance for a successful afterlife of certain individuals by smashing their statues. This fragmentary triad may be an example of such willful destruction. It was discovered in numerous pieces along with two other statues in the serdab, or statue chamber, of the tomb and has been restored.
The text in front of the toes of the man at the viewer's left identifies him as "the scribe of royal documents, Pehenptah." His wife, named Amendjefaes, embraces him with both hands. The figure to her left (the viewer's right)is most likely an additional image of Pehenptah.
ProvenanceFrom Giza. G 5380 / serdab 4-6
(Accession Date: December 4, 1913)