Stele of Keti and Senet
This painted limestone stele depicts sisters, Keti and Senet, breathing in the scent of a lotus blossom, while stood either side of an offering table full of food produce and other tribute presented to the pair.
Dating from between approximately 2061–1900 B.C., Late 11th Dynasty to Early 12th Dynasty, this Middle Kingdom stelae was made to insure the sisters were provided with endless tribute after death.
Purchased by Ernst August Burghart in Egypt, 1821.
The inscription on this tomb stele tells us that the two figures depicted standing before an offering table are sisters. Each grasps a handkerchief in one hand and inhales the life-giving scent of a lotus blossom held up to her nose in the other hand.
On the offering table in between the sisters lie two calve heads and one goose head, bread (round/psn and conical/t-HD), two bundles of leeks, and two cucumbers. A libation vessel (on the left) and a pear-shaped pot are placed under the table.
Middle Kingdom, Late 11th Dynasty to Early 12th Dynasty, ca. 2061-1900 BC. Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien, Ägyptische Sammlung, INV 95. PROVENANCE: 1821, purchased by Ernst August Burghart in Egypt
