Ankh-ef-en-Sekhmet Entertained by a Harpist

Description

<p>Late Period interest in the past is clearly demonstrated in this work, whose composition, clothing, and poses all recall Old Kingdom and Middle Kingdom works. Details such as the crisp precision of the carving and the presence of personal names date the piece to the Late Period. It shows its owners, Ankh-ef-en-Sekhmet and his wife Hathor-em-hat, to the viewer's left. Their daughter, with close-cropped hair, kneels at center. The three are entertained by a harpist named Psamtik-seneb, who "plays the harp for the good of their spirits everyday." The harpist's name means "may King Psamtik be healthy." The tomb from which this relief came was located in Saqqara, the necropolis (cemetery) of Memphis, an important center for the worship of the goddesses Sakhmet and Hathor, whose names are incorporated into the tomb owners' names.</p><p>For the latest information about this object, <cite><a href='https://purl.thewalters.org/art/22.38' rel='external'>Ankh-ef-en-Sekhmet Entertained by a Harpist</a></cite>, visit the Online Collection of the Walters Art Museum.</p>

Inscriptions (3)