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Sarcophagus box of the Vizier Gemenefherbak

Gemenefherbak was a vizier (a modern word derived from the Arabic wasir, “minister,” which we use to translate the Egyptian tjaty). As such, he was responsible for justice, a function symbolized by the pendant picturing the goddess Maat on his collar.
The chest is protected by a winged scarab, a personification of the reborn morning sun. On the back of the box, the deceased is shown twice worshiping the djed-pillar, a symbol of Osiris, lord of the netherworld.
In spite of the size of the object and the hardness of the stone, the sculptors express all their virtuosity in the polish of surfaces and in a sophistication of detail that is typical for the 26th Dynasty.

Cat. 2201/02
Stone / Greywacke stone
53 cm x 75 cm x 239 cm
664–525 BCE
Late Period
Twenty–sixth Dynasty
Sais (?)
Purchase Bernardino Drovetti, 1824
Museum / Floor 1 / Room 11 / Baseplate
  • Vidua, Carlo, “Catalogue de la collect. d'antiq. de mons. le chev. Drovetti, a 1822”, in Ministero della Pubblica Istruzione (a cura di), Documenti inediti per servire alla storia dei Musei d'Italia, vol. 3, Firenze - Roma 1880, III, p. 291, n. 19.
    Tipo=Atti di congressi SottoTipo=Monografia o Opere Autore=Vidua, Carlo Titolo=Catalogue de la collect. d'antiq. de mons. le chev. Drovetti, a 1822 Sottotiolo=Ministero della Pubblica Istruzione (a cura di) In=Documenti inediti per servire alla storia dei Musei d'Italia Collana= Opera= Luogo=vol. 3, Firenze - Roma Anno=1880 Menzionato=III, p. 291, n. 19 Illustrazione=
Museo Egizio