Double Statue of Nimaatsed

The statue of Nimaatsed shares one base and are nearly identical but differ slightly in height. His hands are by his sides and he holds the two small rods of dignity. On his head he wears a short, large wig that leaves his ears uncovered.

His eyelids, eyebrows, and fine mustache are painted in black. His neck is decorated with a beautiful multicolored necklace and his body is the reddish-brown color that was commonly used for male statues. He wears a short white kilt with a yellow pleated extremity.

Nimaatsed was a priest of Re and Hathor in the solar temple of Neferirkare Kakai. He also served as a judge and priest at the pyramids of Neferirkare Kakai, Neferefre, and Nyuserre Ini.

In ancient Egyptian tombs, it was common to find double or triple statues of the owner. They perhaps showed the deceased at different ages or represented him with his Ka. That would enable him to have more offerings and prayers in the afterlife.

Old Kingdom, 5th Dynasty, ca. 2494-2345 BC. Painted limestone. From the Mastaba of Nimaatsed (D 56), Saqqara necropolis. Auguste Mariette’s Excavations of 1860. Now in the Egyptian Museum, Cairo. CG 133