Egypt Museum

Memi & Sabu

This double painted limestone statue depicts the King’s Acquaintances Memi and Sabu.

Recent studies indicate, however, that many of these nonroyal statues, including Memi and Sabu, are better dated to the Fourth Dynasty
The Met Museum, where this peice now resides writes: “Until recently, the flowering of nonroyal statuary was believed to have occurred only in the Fifth and Sixth Dynasties. Recent studies indicate, however, that many of these nonroyal statues, including Memi and Sabu, are better dated to the Fourth Dynasty, contemporary with the great royal statuary programs.”
The base is engraved with delicate hieroglyphs, which tell us the couples names and title of "King's Acquaintences",
The base is engraved with delicate hieroglyphs, which tell us the couples names and title of “King’s Acquaintences“,
Ancient Egyptian: “rx nswt Mmj sAb.w”, which translates to: “Royal Acquaintances Memi (and) Sabu”.

This close up image showcases the craftsmanship of the Old Kingdom’s sculptors. The fine detailing of Memi’s layered wig, which envelops his head in an elaborate circular style, still has traces of black paint upon it, and the individual carvings of each strand and layer shows the elaborate skill of the artist, as well as the presumed time and effort put into such funerary statues. Memi’s face gazes forward, his cheeks and chin are softly carved and sanded to give a touch of realism to his face. His nose, still present, is straight and long, and he has the slight smile, typical of Old Kingdom style.

We can see here that Memi is depicted in a loving and protective pose, with his arm holding Sabu closely over her shoulder, and his hand grazes his wife’s bosom. Fragments of reddish brown paint of his skin still remains.

Memi wears a kilt (known to the Egyptians as a “shendyt“) with side pleating. His knees and calves appear thick, and a belt is wrapped around his waist with what appears to be a dagger protruding from underneath.

Statue of Memi & Sabu
Met Museum. 48.111

Sabu is depicted in a cropped wig, which hovers just over her shoulders. It is, like her husband’s wig, full of carved detailing depicting the plaited strands of hair making up the wig. Parted in the middle, underneath the wig, you can see Sabu’s real hair underneath, represented by two black ovals, making up a fringe upon her forehead.

Wearing a long dress, possibly once white, or even translucent, the softness of Sabu’s physique is noticeable through the fabric, with her bust, pubic mound and belly clearly visible. Sabu’s face is roundish and slightly square, her nose is sadly damaged, but other features showcase the sculptors ability to capture the softness of the human face within the limestone. Her eyes still have black lines present, representing the famous Egyptian eyeliner.

Reciprocating each other’s protective poses, Sabu’s arm is holding Memi from behind and we see her hand coming around her husbands waist and holding him close.

Summary:

Painted limestone statue of Memi and his wife Sabu, “The King’s Acquaintances”
Old Kingdom, 4th Dynasty, c. 2575–2465 B.C.
Dimensions: H. 62 × W. 24.5 × D. 16 cm
Weight: 28.8 kg (24 7/16 × 9 5/8 × 6 5/16 in., 63.4 lb.)
From the Western Necropolis, Giza.
Purchased by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, from Louis Stern, 1948. Previously in the possession of Maguid Sameda. 48.111

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