Imertnebes

This wooden figure of a priestess named Imertnebes was discovered in Thebes and dates from the Middle Kingdom period, c. 1991-1783 B.C.

Imertnebes was a high-ranking priestess who bore a title that would eventually be designated for princesses who served as high-priestesses of Amun; “God’s Wife“.

Depicted in typical Middle Kingdom fashion, Imertnebes’s figure is slender and her limbs are long, with oversized hands and feet. Noticeably, her wig is clearly too big for her head. It is probable that the wig was a separate removal piece, possibly even taken from a larger statue. However, the size and style of wig was an indicator of status. The wig is adorned with carved diagonal lines giving the illusion of plaited strands of hair, the back is adorned with a ribbon.

Imertnebes’s face is serene, and a slight smile adorns her face. The nose is thin, and her eyes are large and brown and made of faïence. The glistening eyes are decorated with heavily lined eyeliner, and thickly lined brows. Such eye makeup was used by both females and males, and held both functional and spiritual purposes. The thick black liner worked as an ancient form of sunglasses, which would protect the delicate eyelid skin from the glaze of the sun, but also represented the Wedjat (Eye of Horus & Eye of Ra) of protection, and to this day, such a style of eye makeup is still associated with Ancient Egypt and has become a symbol of Ancient Egypt within itself.

Imertnebes’s feet are delicately carved, with fine detailing of each of the toes and toenails etched out within the wood. Black sandals adorn her feet as she strides forward upon a platform engraved with hieroglyphs of tribute to the priestess, it is from these hieroglyphs that we know her name, Imertnebes.

Summary:

The Priestess Imertnebes
Middle Kingdom, c. 1991-1783 B.C.
Medium: wood ; faïence ; bronze. Measurements: 48 x 9.5 x 21 cm
From Thebes. Now at Rijksmuseum van Oudheden. AH 113