Egyptian Limestone Miniature Obelisk with Hieroglyphs

LATE PERIOD, 664-332 B.C.

8 1/4 in. (444 grams total, 21 cm high).

With tapering sides and pointed top, incised vertical column of hieroglyphic text to one face: ẖry-ḥbt ḳbḥ ḥtp mr-mšꜥ imn, ''lector-priest' (give) purified offering (to the) general of the army (of) Amun'; mounted on a custom-made stand.

Provenance

Acquired in Egypt in the early 20th century.
Private collection of Mr T.H., Norfolk, UK.

Literature

Cf. similar in the collection of the British Museum under accession no.EA495.

Footnotes

In ancient Egypt, it was common for small obelisks like this one to be placed on either side of the entrance to private tombs. Typically inscribed on one side only, these obelisks held great solar religious significance and were closely associated with the cult of the sun-god Re. They symbolised the ancient Egyptians' belief in the rebirth of the deceased, with the moment of revivification being characterised by the individual's face being illuminated by the rays of the rising sun. It was said that, at that moment, the deceased was able to "open their sight to see the sun-god," as one religious text explains.

CONDITION

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LOT 0004