Old Kingdom

Irukakhufu

Irukakhufu was an Old Kingdom man who held many titles including, “Royal Acquaintance“, “(Royal) Wab-Priest” and “Overseer of the Pyramid-town of Khufu“. Discovered within the serdab of tomb at the Western Cemetery in Giza, known as Lepsius 21, the statue depicts a man in scribe form, who is believed to be Irukakhufu. Two large offering...

Statue of Hemiunu

Hemiunu

“King’s Son of his Body”“Chief Justice”“Greatest of the Five of the House of Thoth” Prince Hemiunu was the son of Nefertmaat and Itet, grandson of king Sneferu, and nephew of king Khufu. Therefore, it is safe to say that Hemiunu, was a man at the centre of Egypt’s pyramid age. As well as the grand...

Detail of Nefer, Royal Acquiantence

Royal Acquaintance, Nefer

This painted limestone stela with raised relief carving depicts an Old Kingdom era woman named Nefer who held the title, “Acquaintance of the king”. Discovered within her mastaba, this stela was used to supply offerings to Nefer beyond death, including; “a thousand alabaster vessels, a thousand pieces of cloth“, “purification of 3 pellets of natron”,...

Statue of Ninefertmin

Ninefertmin

This seated statue of a woman called Ninefertmin, would have been made in dedication to her memory in hopes of rejuvenating her spirit with offerings and prayers. It could have been commissioned by Ninefertmin herself, or by family. These types of portraits could often depict family members together, known as “group statues”, or husband and...

Panel of Rahotep

Panel of Rahotep

From the Mastaba of Rahotep and his wife Nofret at Beni Suef, this limestone panel depicts Prince Rahotep sat on a bull-legged chair before an offering table. Traditional offering formula is written above the table in hieroglyphs. Upon the offering table, 8 half loaves of bread have been placed. Rahotep wears a short round cropped...

Statue of Iteti Ankhires

Dating from the Old Kingdom and found within his Saqqara Mastaba, this seated Ka statue of Iteti Ankhires is inscribed with the title of, “The Great One of the Tens of Upper Egypt”. A ka statue is a type of ancient Egyptian statue intended to provide a resting place for the ka (life-force or spirit)...

Limestone head of Khafre

Limestone head of Khafre

This limestone head of a king with inlaid eyes was discovered outside the valley temple of Khafre’s pyramid complex at Giza, and is thought to be a representation of Khafre himself. The king wears the white crown, known as the “Hedjet” crown of Upper Egypt, and his eyes are lined with green. Green was a...

Inet, wife of Iry

Inet, wife of Iry

This limestone low relief depicts Inet, wife of Iry, in front of four smaller figures who are possibly Inet’s children; three women and boy.A funerary formula adorns the top of the scene. Summary:Limestone funerary relief of Inet, wife of IryOld Kingdom, 4th Dynasty, c. 2613-2494 B.C.From Giza. British Museum. EA1170

Two ladies clap while the dancers perform

Dancers in the tomb of Urienptah

Purchased by the British Museum from the Government of the British Protectorate of Egypt in 1904, this limestone scene and false door from the Mastaba tomb of Urienptah showcases the Old Kingdom traditional funerary art in a splendid display. The women have short cropped hair, possibly capped wigs, and long fitted dresses that hit their...

Mayor Nen-Kheft-Ka

Made of limestone, the statue is delicately carved in traditional style of the Old Kingdom period. The pleated linen of Nen-Kheft-Ka’s kilt and belt, and dagger resting upon his stomach, showcases beautiful craftsmanship. The remnants of paint, reddish yellow, giving a golden hue to the skin, white of the kilt and black of the square...