Scribe

Statue of Ramessesnakht

Statue of Ramessesnakht as a scribe

The High Priest Ramessesnakht sits with his legs crossed under him the typical pose of a scribe another office he held, his head is bent over his work, his own biography, in his left hand is poised to continue writing, the baboon embracing his head, offering him protection and counsel represents Thoth, god of the...

Statue of Pendua and his wife Nefertari

Statue of Pendua and Nefertari

This statuary group is representing the scribe Pendua and his wife Nefertari. The couple embrace in an unusual depiction, seated on a wide high-backed seat with their arms passing behind the other so that their hands rest on each other’s shoulder. Both Pendua and Nefertari (whose name was the same as the reigning queen) wear...

Statue of Metri as a Scribe

Statue of Metri as a Scribe

The statue depicts Metri, an overseer of the scribes during the 6th Dynasty, sitting in the traditional pose of scribes with his legs crossed. He spreads a roll of papyrus on his lap and holds it with his left hand. In his right hand he holds a pen. The body of the statue is painted...

Statue of Nykara and his Family

Statue of Nykara and his Family

This family statue depicts Nykara, whose title is Scribe of the Granary, seated between the two standing figures of his wife and son. If Nykara were shown standing, his dimensions are such that he would tower over the other two figures. Also, although the boy’s nakedness, sidelock of hair, and finger-to-mouth gesture indicate that he...

Statue of Amenhotep, Son of Hapu

Statue of Amenhotep Son of Hapu

Amenhotep, Son of Hapu was one of the most important officials from the reign of Amenhotep III, he was renowned throughout Egyptian history as an architect and a sage, and worshiped alongside Imhotep as a god of medicine. Amenhotep worked his way up the administration until he became the king’s closest advisor, by this time...

The Seated Scribe

The Seated Scribe

The Louvre’s scribe, known as the “Seated Scribe”, is indeed sitting cross-legged, his right leg crossed in front of his left. The white kilt, stretched over his knees, serves as a support. He is holding a partially rolled papyrus scroll in his left hand. His right hand must have held a brush, now missing.  The...

Statue of Horemhab as a Scribe

Horemhab was a royal scribe and general of the army under King Tutankhamun. He continued to serve during the reign of Aya and eventually succeeded Aya as king. This statue was made before Horemhab ascended the throne. By having himself depicted as a scribe, Horemhab declares himself to be among the elite group of literate...

Statue of Paramessu (Ramesses I) as a Scribe

This statue of Paramessu, who later became King Ramesses I, shows him in the classic pose of a seated scribe. Statues of this type are intended to depict a great man of letters, not just a mere scribe. He was the founder of the 19th Dynasty, father of King Seti I and grand father of...

Statue of Nespaqashuty, Son of Nespamedou

In this well modeled and polished statue, the vizier Nespaqashuty is depicted as a scribe. He is seated with crossed legs on the pedestal, but with neither a roll of papyrus nor a pen. He is wearing a shoulder length striped wig and a short kilt with a broad belt. His face has a slim,...

Statue of a Seated Scribe

Statue of a Seated Scribe

This seated scribe statue is considered to be the icon of all scribe statues and one of the most important symbols of sculpture at the Egyptian Museum. It is called the “Cairo Scribe” and is carved in painted limestone. It was unearthed in 1893 at the Saqqara necropolis. He wears a wig with a central...