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Funerary cone of Neferhotep and Amenhotep
Egyptian
New Kingdom, Dynasty 18–20
1550–1070 B.C.
Medium/Technique
Pottery
Dimensions
Length x diameter: 14.4 x 8.4 cm (5 11/16 x 3 5/16 in.)
Credit Line
Hay Collection—Gift of C. Granville Way
Accession NumberRES.72.264
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsAncient Egypt, Nubia and the Near East
ClassificationsArchitectural elements
Catalogue Raisonné
Davies & MacAdam 359
DescriptionFunerary cone fragment of reddish clay end with much of tapering cone element intact. Circular stamp impression on head with an undivided register, identifying owners: "Fourth Prophet of Amen, Neferhotep, True-of-Voice" and "his wife, Amenhotep" (Hm-ntr 4-nw n Imn Nfr-Htp MAa-xrw Hmt.f Imn-Htp).
Funerary cones were components of a frieze, inserted above the doors of private tombs, particularly in the Theban region. They have been variously interpreted as: name-plates of sorts to identify the tomb owner, decorative memorials, boundary markers for a tomb, dummy bread loaves or meat offerings, symbolic roof beams, or (for the visible circular head) depictions of the sun disk.
Others of the same owner see: RES 72.1763, 72.4737, RES.72.265.
Davies and Macadam, A Corpus of Inscribed Egyptian Funerary Cones (1957), type #359.
Funerary cones were components of a frieze, inserted above the doors of private tombs, particularly in the Theban region. They have been variously interpreted as: name-plates of sorts to identify the tomb owner, decorative memorials, boundary markers for a tomb, dummy bread loaves or meat offerings, symbolic roof beams, or (for the visible circular head) depictions of the sun disk.
Others of the same owner see: RES 72.1763, 72.4737, RES.72.265.
Davies and Macadam, A Corpus of Inscribed Egyptian Funerary Cones (1957), type #359.
ProvenanceBy 1836: Robert Hay Collection, Linplum, Scotland; 1863: to his son, Robert James Alexander Hay; 1868-1872: Way Collection, Boston (purchased by Samuel A. Way through London dealers Rollin and Feuardent, 27 Haymarket); 1872: given to the MFA by Samuel's son, C. Granville Way.
(Accession Date: June 28, 1872)
(Accession Date: June 28, 1872)