ostracon ancient art
catalogue

Egyptian Funerary Cones for Mehu* and his Wife Tjajay*, Ramesside Period, 1292–1069 BC

These are the first known examples for a Chief of the workhouses of Amun and for his wife, a Singer of Amun.

Their names can be provisionally read as Mehu and Tjajay until better preserved cones appear.

The stamps read: (1) The Osiris-Khontamenti, (2) the chief of the workhouses of Amun, Mehu*, [justified (?)], (3) the singer of Amun, Tjajay*, [justified (?)].

For the name  Mehu, cf. Ranke 1935: p. 163, no. 13.

The chief of the workhouses of Amun was a low-ranking official involved in the processing of staple foods. The number of known persons with this title increases during the Ramesside Period. This is also the time where they can afford their own decorated rock tombs.

Worn surface with barely discernible signs. Shaft cut off on both cones, core black.

W. cone 8.4 cm (3.3 in)
W. seal impression 6.3 cm (2.5 in)
L. 3.3 cm  (1.3 in)

Ex collection of Dr. Ulrich Müller, Switzerland, acquired between 1968 and 1978.

1200 USD

Literature: For the article dealing with this type follow the link to academia.edu.
Ranke, Hermann. 1935. Die ägyptischen Personennamen. Vol. 1. Glückstadt/Hamburg.
Onstine, Suzanne L. 2001. The Role of the Chantress (Smayt) in Ancient Egypt. Toronto.
Polz, Daniel. 1990. "Die Sna-Vorsteher des Neuen Reiches", in ZÄS 117 (1990), pp. 43-60.