Polychrome low relief in tomb of Ptahhotep, Ṣaqqārah, Egypt

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Object Details

Topic: Cultural landscapes; Monuments; Architecture -- Egypt; Works of art in situ; Inscriptions; Mural painting and decoration; Animals in art; Animals in art -- Fishes; Animals in art -- Birds; Animals in art -- Foxes; Animals in art -- Bovines

See more items in: Eliot Elisofon Field collection; Eliot Elisofon Field collection / Egypt

Archival Repository: Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives, National Museum of African Art

Collection Citation: Eliot Elisofon Field Collection, EEPA 1973-001, Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution

Collection Rights: Permission to reproduce images from the Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives must be obtained in advance. The collection is subject to all copyright laws.

Scope and Contents: "The mastaba of Ptahhotep, northwest of the Step Pyramid, is a funerary complex built for two Ptahhoteps and an Akhihotep. Ptahhotep ('Ptah is happy') was one of the greatest noblemen of late Fifth Dynasty. A kaleidoscope of genre scenes is represented in seven registers on the east wall of the cult chamber. Watching them is Ptahhotep with his eldest son, also named Ptahhotep. Lively episodes of fowling and fishery are depicted in the two lowest registers. The relief sculpted in The fourth register of this panorama shows a hunt in the desert. It surprises the viewer with its dynamism. The fighting and copulating wild animals are reminiscent of some scenes depicted in the sun temples of the Fifth Dynasty." [Zahi Hawass, 2003: The Treasures of the Pyramids. White Star Publishers]. "Saqqâra (Ṣaqqārah) is a large necropolis south of Cairo and west of ancient Memphis. It was the necropolis of ancient Memphis; has remains of several pyramids from 5th and 6th dynasties and the famous Step Pyramid, the earliest true pyramid in Egypt, built for King Zoser (Djoser) of the 3rd dynasty ca. 2630 BC by his prime minister Imhotep. It is not to be confused with the modern town of the same name." [The J. P. Getty Fund: Thesaurus of Geographical Names]. This photograph was taken when Eliot Elisofon was on assignment for American Institute of Architects, directing the Egyptian portion of the documentary on Ancient Egypt, March 1965 and September 1965.

Collection Restrictions: Use of original records requires an appointment. Contact Archives staff for more details.