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Inscribed dyad
Egyptian
Middle Kingdom
2040–1640 B.C.
Findspot: Nubia (Sudan), Kerma, K III 2(1)a
Medium/Technique
Sandstone
Dimensions
Overall (Man): 17.5 cm (6 7/8 in.)
Overall (Woman): 15.5 cm (6 1/8 in.)
Overall (Woman): 15.5 cm (6 1/8 in.)
Credit Line
Harvard University—Boston Museum of Fine Arts Expedition
Accession Number20.1317
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsAncient Egypt, Nubia and the Near East
ClassificationsSculpture
DescriptionThis is a fragmentary standing pair statue or dyad. It consists of two standing figures with two lines of inscription between them on a rectangular back slab. The male is on the right, female on the left. The male has his left leg advanced and arms straight with hands open on the front of garment, palms in. He is wearing a long kilt with corners twisted together above navel. The kilt falls to the ankles showing the edge down front with crease on each side. His head is shaved. The female figure stands with legs together and both arms at her sides with the hands open, palms against thighs. She wears a long sheath falling from just below breasts to ankles with broad shoulder straps. She wears a broad enveloping wig covering the top of her shoulders.
The inscription consists of two vertical lines down center support in front, between the two figures. The signs in both columns of the text face toward the male figure. The left column reads "[An offering which the king gives to] Osiris, lord of Abydos, that he may give funerary offerings, [...]" The right column reads "[An offering which the king gives to] Anubis, first of his mountain, that he may give incense and food offerings [...]"
There are many small fragments. The woman's head and body are preserved to above the knees with upper face chipped off, the man's body from neck to ankles. There is a third large fragment that contains the head and part of the back slab of the male figure. These were found in storage with a group of limestone fragments, some apparently flat inlays. See Eg.Inv.13121.
See Bibliography.
The inscription consists of two vertical lines down center support in front, between the two figures. The signs in both columns of the text face toward the male figure. The left column reads "[An offering which the king gives to] Osiris, lord of Abydos, that he may give funerary offerings, [...]" The right column reads "[An offering which the king gives to] Anubis, first of his mountain, that he may give incense and food offerings [...]"
There are many small fragments. The woman's head and body are preserved to above the knees with upper face chipped off, the man's body from neck to ankles. There is a third large fragment that contains the head and part of the back slab of the male figure. These were found in storage with a group of limestone fragments, some apparently flat inlays. See Eg.Inv.13121.
See Bibliography.
InscriptionsHtp di nsw
ProvenanceFrom Nubia (Sudan), Kerma, K III 2(1)a. 1914: Excavated by the Harvard University–Boston Museum of Fine Arts Expedition; assigned to the MFA by the government of Sudan.