About the Relief

These blocks from a temple wall have preserved their original painted decoration to a remarkable degree. The four portly figures bear emblems on their heads identifying them as nomes, or provinces, of ancient Egypt. Carrying trays heaped with offerings and leading sacrificial animals, they personify the bounty of the land. First (on the right) comes the Oryx nome, followed by the Dog nome, the Falcon nome, and the Double Scepter nome. The face of each nome is a miniature portrait of Amenhotep III, and each recites a speech in the king's name. The god to whom the nomes bring offerings stood would have been carved in relief on the level above-bits of this upper register can be seen on the museum's relief. The pair of legs on the right belonged to the god, the single foot on the left belonged to the king. These blocks may be from Amenhotep III's temple at Kom el-Ahmar, dedicated to Horus of Hebenu, in Middle Egypt. Hebenu was the capital of the Hare nome, which leads the procession of nome gods. Amenhotep's temple was later dismantled, and its blocks reused in the foundations of another structure, which would account for the excellent preservation of the paint on these fragments.
	Although the relief is fragmentary, the existing decoration is in excellent condition. The carving and pigmentation are remarkably well preserved. Coatings present over much of the pigmented surface appear to be original and account for the excellent preservation of the painted areas. Uncoated areas, mostly background areas in white or grey, exhibit considerable erosion and loss to the painted decoration. In general, the upper surfaces are worn and exhibit some abrasion, losses, chips, breaks, and cracks, especially around the edges. The chipped lower proper right corner of fragment 1976.51 has been filled with plaster. Plaster fills are found in both lower corners and the upper proper right corner of fragment 1961.205.
	The carving in subtle raised relief is exquisitely detailed and the painted areas are rendered with extreme precision. Even the individual hieroglyphs were carved and painted to be highly detailed and decorative. Fine details such as the plumage and fur are meticulously described by masterful layering of strokes of pigment in related hues.

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