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Relief of Mehu from a scene of spearing fish

Egyptian
Old Kingdom, late Dynasty 5
2431–2323 B.C.
Findspot: Egypt, Giza, Western Cemetery, tomb of Mehu G 2423, pit X

Medium/Technique Painted limestone
Dimensions Overall: 21 x 50 x 9.8 cm (8 1/4 x 19 11/16 x 3 7/8 in.)
Credit Line Harvard University—Boston Museum of Fine Arts Expedition
Accession Number39.833.7
NOT ON VIEW
ClassificationsArchitectural elementsRelief

DescriptionThis fragment from a "menu list" of offerings is decorated in raised relief. One includes parts of three horizontal registers separated into squares, each of which has the name of an offering in it. The hieroglyphs are painted red and blue.

Overall this scene is composed of ten fragments which form a fragmentary scene of Mehu standing facing right with right arm upraised holding a spear. Fragments of his left striding leg are visible in 39.833.10. The paint is well preserved on the head and torso fragment, 39.833.1,only. Behind Mehu are five, or more, horizontal registers of text.
ProvenanceFrom Giza, tomb of Mehu G 2423, corridor chapel; re-used as roofing of pit X in chapel floor. 1937: excavated by the Harvard University-Museum of Fine Arts Expedition; 1939: assigned to the MFA by the government of Egypt.


Reused in building the intrusive chambers of G 2423X and G.