Stele of Pamerihu

Stele of Pamerihu
New Kingdom
19th dynasty, about 1304-1201 BC
From Deir el-Medina (probably)
Limestone...
Height: 18.95 cm
Width: 12.4 cm
Thickness: 4.6 cm
The round topped stele is a votive relief of the
sculptor Pamerihu, who probably lived in Deir el-Medina
and worked for the Royal Wife Ahmose-Nefertari
(c.1570-1505 BC). She was the wife of the founder
of the 18th dynasty Ahmose I (1570-1546 BC) and
mother of King Amenhotep I (1525-1504 BC), the
first king to be entombed in the Valley of the Kings.
Ahmose-Nefertari and Amenhotep I are often jointly
depicted on monuments in Deir el-Medina. Both were
worshipped in the settlement.

Ahmose-Nefertari sits on the throne facing right in front of a table with a libation pot. She wears a
flowing, pleated dress, typical in representations of elite women of the Ramesside period (about 1295-1069
BC) rather than the period during which the Queen was alive. On her head she wears the vulture
head-dress of the goddess Mut, consort of the god Amun of Thebes, surmounted by a sun-disc and ostrich
plumes. The cobra on her crown and the flail in her hand indicate her royal status. The lotus blossom was
often held by deceased women, thought to be representing rebirth. There is a cartouche of
Ahmose-Nefertari within the hieroglyphic inscription consisting of 2 vertical columns in the right upper part
of the stele. Another inscription is written in black ink at the bottom of the stele. It consists of 2
horizontal lines of hieroglyphs and contains an offering formula. The inscription is faded in places.
Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna, Egyptian - Oriental Collection
Inv AE_INV_158
Provenance: 1821 gift of C. A. Fontana
http://www.deirelmedina.com/lenka/