Sandstone family portrait of the “Overseer of Stonemasons”, Senbebu
This finely carved sandstone group statue, dating from the 12th Dynasty of Egypt’s Middle Kingdom (c. 1981–1802 B.C.), portrays Senbebu, an Overseer of Stonemasons, seated prominently between two women. The figure to his left is likely his wife, Abetib, while the woman to his right is named Peryt. Senbebu held a distinguished title that indicates he supervised teams involved in quarrying and stone cutting, roles also held by both his father and his son, reflecting a hereditary profession of skilled artisanship. During the Middle Kingdom, it became increasingly common for officials of middling rank, such as Senbebu, to commission commemorative statues of notable quality, a privilege once reserved for the elite.
This particular statue, thought to have originated in Southern Upper Egypt (most likely Elephantine) is modest in size, measuring just over 22 cm in height. It bears multiple inscriptions, offering a rich glimpse into both personal devotion and formal religious formulae.
The central figure’s lap is inscribed with a traditional offering formula invoking the king and the goddess Satis, Mistress of Elephantine, entreating them to provide invocation offerings; bread and beer, oxen and fowl, alabaster and fine garments, for the ka (spiritual essence) of Senbebu in the afterlife. Flanking inscriptions on either side of the women repeat this offering prayer and specify that the dedications are made to “the ka of the Mistress of the House,” Abetib and Peryt respectively, both daughters of a woman named Henut.
Further enhancing the statue’s significance is the dedicatory inscription stating it was commissioned by Senbebu’s son, Ptahwer, himself an Overseer of a Division of Necropolis-Workers. Senbebu is named in full as “Senbebu, son of Hotepsobek, born of Kayt,” thereby situating him within a line of respected craftsmen. The inclusion of such detailed lineage and piety suggests a family deeply embedded within the administrative and artisanal fabric of Middle Kingdom society, and one proud to honour both their trade and their ancestors.
Now housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, this piece was acquired in 1956 via the Dodge Fund, having previously been in the possession of the art dealer Michael Abemayor.
Summary:
Sandstone family portrait of the “Overseer of Stonemasons”, Senbebu
Middle Kingdom, 12th Dynasty, c. 1981–1802 B.C.
Likely from Elephantine, Southern Upper Egypt. Now at the Met Museum. 56.136
