Stele of the Vizier Ptahmose

This stele comes from the tomb (most probably in Thebes; its current location is unknown) of this well-known Vizier Ptahmose from the reign of Amenhotep III. The quality of the carving shows the level of perfection achieved by certain specialist workshops in Upper Egypt during this period. In the middle section is Ptahmose, sitting next to his wife Aypy; his two sons and five daughters are paying homage to their father.

Below, in a text comprising ten lines of delicate hieroglyphs, Ptahmose invokes the great gods of the South and the North, before alluding to his excellent conduct and inviting all those who read the text on the monument to behave in a similar fashion.

Ptahmose, high priest of Amun, vizier of Thebes and head of building projects for Amenhotep III, had this monument carved in honour of Osiris.

The upper level replicates the scene below, in accordance with the principles of dualistic symmetry: Ptahmose, dressed in his long vizier’s robe and priestly leopard skin garment, carries out acts of worship before the god, who is seated in the centre beneath a canopy. He gives him food, flowers, and vases, spread out on three offering tables.

New Kingdom, late 18th Dynasty, reign of Amenhotep III, ca. 1391-1353 BC. Polychrome limestone. Dimensions: H. 86; W. 58; D. 12 cm. Gifted by B. Drovetti in 1824. From Thebes. Now in the Museum of Fine Arts of Lyon. Inv. H 1376