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Nome Gods Bearing Offerings, c. 1391-1353 BC (painted limestone)
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Nome Gods Bearing Offerings, c. 1391-1353 BC (painted limestone)
499892 Nome Gods Bearing Offerings, c.1391-1353 BC (painted limestone)
by Egyptian 18th Dynasty (c.1567-1320 BC); 66x133 cm; Cleveland Museum of Art, OH, USA; (add.info.: These blocks from a temple wall have preserved their original painted decoration to a remarkable degree. The four portly figures in the lower register bear emblems on their heads identifying them as nomes, or provinces, of ancient Egypt. Carrying trays heaped with offerings and leading sacrificial animals, they personify the bounty of the land. First (on the right) is the Oryx Nome, followed by the Dog Nome, the Falcon Nome, and the Double Scepter Nome.
The face of each nome figure is a miniature portrait of Amenhotep III, and each recites a speech in the kings name. The first figure says, " King Nebmaatra [Amenhotep III] has come, bringing to you every good thing that is in this land, that you may give him all life, stability, dominion, and all health from you." The second, third, and fourth figures bring " all greens, " " the produce of the Two Lands [Upper and Lower Egypt], " and" all offerings and provisions." The god to whom the nomes bring offerings stood in the fragmentary upper register, facing a standing figure of the king, Amenhotep III. The pair of legs on the right belonged to the god; the single foot on the left belonged to the king. The god held a scepter, forked at the bottom, embellished with coils of rope (for eternity), tadpoles (for hundreds of thousands), and notched palm ribs (for years), the whole signifying " an eternity of hundreds of thousands of years."
These blocks may be from Amenhotep IIIs temple at Kom el-Ahmar, ancient Hebenu, in Middle Egypt, dedicated to the god Horus. Hebenu was the capital of the Oryx Nome, which leads the procession of nome gods. Amenhotep IIIs temple was later dismantled, and its blocks were reused in the foundations of another structure, which would account for the excellent preservation of the paint.
Egypt, New Kingdom, Dynasty 18 (1540-1296), reign of Amenhotep III
); John L. Severance Fund; Egyptian, out of copyright
Media ID 23553682
© John L. Severance Fund / Bridgeman Images
18th Dynasty Amenhotep Iii Dynasty 18 Falcon Gods Hieroglyphics Oryx Scepter Nome
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This print showcases the "Nome Gods Bearing Offerings" a painted limestone artwork dating back to c. 1391-1353 BC during the Egyptian 18th Dynasty. Housed in the Cleveland Museum of Art, Ohio, USA, these blocks from a temple wall have remarkably preserved their original painted decoration. In this piece, four portly figures can be seen in the lower register, each representing a nome or province of ancient Egypt. Adorned with emblems on their heads and carrying trays overflowing with offerings and sacrificial animals, they symbolize the abundance of the land. Interestingly, each face of these nome figures is actually a miniature portrait of Amenhotep III himself. Accompanying this visual representation are speeches recited by each figure in King Nebmaatra's name (Amenhotep III). They bring forth every good thing from the land and request life, stability, dominion, and health from those who view them. The fragmentary upper register reveals an offering scene where these nomes present their gifts to a god standing opposite Amenhotep III. The god holds a significant scepter adorned with symbols representing eternity and hundreds of thousands of years. These blocks likely originate from Amenhotep III's temple at Kom el-Ahmar (ancient Hebenu) in Middle Egypt dedicated to Horus. Over time, this temple was dismantled and its blocks were repurposed for another structure - explaining why the paint has been so well-preserved. Overall, this artwork provides valuable insights into religious practices during Ancient Egypt's New Kingdom period under Amenhotep III's reign.
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