This limestone ππππ βRelief of a Noblemanβ on display at the Brooklyn Museum is a beautiful π€ππ and detailed example of a sunken relief! Sunken relief is defined as art that is carved directly into the rock ππππ, and it is below the rock face.
This piece is dated to the 19-20th Dynasties (c. 1295-1070 B.C.E.). According to the information from the Brooklyn Museum, the original location of the relief (and the rest of it) is unknown, however, based off the intricacy of the artistry, Egyptologists believe it was possibly originally from a Ramesside-era tomb ππ©ππ in Memphis π ππ€πππ΄π (modern-day Saqqara).Β
While this was carved way after the reign of Akhenaten ππππ³π ππ (and his artistic revolution), some remnants of Amarna-era inspiration remain. For example, the fact that the face is more rounded than flat is Amarna-inspired, as well as the deep carving into the rock ππππ near the back of the head as compared to the face. This creates a really cool dimension, and was really first seen in the Amarna-era!
The wig πΏπππΈ that this man is wearing is intricately carved, and I feel like every little detail is seen! The wig πΏπππΈ almost looks real! My favorite aspect is the headband with the lotus flowers πΈπΈπΈ on it!Β
On the left side of the relief, a hand ππΊ is holding a sistrum πππππ£ and a flower πΌπ ±π°. A sistrum πππππ£ was a musical instrument (like a rattle/tambourine) that was associated with the goddess πΉπ Hathor π‘. Hathor’s π‘ face usually appears on the stem of the sistrum πππππ£, right below the “rattles.” The ancient Egyptians πππππͺ had a big connection with music πππΈ, and sistrums πππππ£πͺ appeared in art (and as actual artifacts) often.Β
Music πππΈ is something I love and cannot live without. I think itβs fascinating that a love of music πππΈ is something that has not changed in thousands πΌπΌπΌ of years or across civilizations/cultures.Β I love that I share that connection with ancient Egyptian culture!
This is my personal photograph and original text. DO NOT repost without permission.Β