Egypt Museum

Royal Scribe Méniou

Fragmentary bust of the Royal Scribe, Méniou.
Fragmentary bust of the Royal Scribe, Méniou.

This fragmentary limestone bust depicts the Royal Scribe, Méniou. Traces of pigment remain of black upon the wig, eyes and brows, giving this fragmentary piece a striking appearance, despite its disfigurement.

Méniou wears an elaborate usekh collar and pleated linen tunic, indicating his status in society. His wig is shoulder-length and finely detailed with intricate line work to indicate curls falling in a layered style, another showcase of his status and wealth.

"O' Royal Scribe the righteous, Méniou the beloved of the king[...]"
“O’ Royal Scribe the righteous, Méniou the beloved of the king[…]”

The figure of rests upon a pillar, erected at the back of the statue, with a funerary formula inscribed in hieroglyphs;

“Your flesh will be firm, and you will live, O’ Royal Scribe the righteous, Méniou the beloved of the king[…] You will walk on the Earth, without meeting any opponents[…]”

“During the feast of the Great Offering, You will offer lettuce as well as[…] You will be acquitted against your enemies[…] The other world will welcome you, It will hide your body, O’ Royal Scribe, the righteous.”

Read more about Méniou here in Egyptophile’s 2017 article.

A wig was a symbol of status and wealth in Egyptian society. The more intricate, styled and full the wig was, the grander one appeared.
A wig was a symbol of status and wealth in Egyptian society. The more intricate, styled and full the wig was, the grander one appeared.

The piece dates from the reign of Amenhotep III, c. 1390-1352 B.C., making it an 18th Dynasty piece, and it fits well among the grand and elaborate statuary from that prosperous and wealthy age of Egypt’s empire, especially the reign of Amenhotep III himself, who would be known as the ‘Dazzling Sun‘.

Scribes held an extremely important role in Ancient Egypt.
Scribes held an extremely important role in Ancient Egypt. To be literate in the Ancient World, Egypt included, meant that person came fro ma well-to-do family and worked in an elite establishment. The role of the Scribe held important status in both ritualistic religious rites, law, military prowess, among other things. Even royalty would sometimes be depicted as scribes.

Summary:

Fragmentary painted limestone bust of the Royal Scribe, Méniou
New Kingdom, 18th Dynasty, reign of Amenhotep III, c. 1390-1352 B.C.
Findspot is unknown at the present, however, the bust was acquired by the Musée du Louvre from Joanny Benoit Peytel in 1914 and has been held at the museum since 1918. E 11519

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