Egyptian Amenhotep I Era Panel, Priestesses / Mourners, ex-Baidun

Egypt, New Kingdom, 18th Dynasty, reign of Amenhotep I, ca. 1525 to 1506 BCE. A finely carved bas-relief in pink limestone featuring two female figures shown in profile. Each woman holds a lotus bud in her raised left hand - an ancient symbol of rebirth - and clasps a stylized menat necklace in the right, a ritual object associated with fertility, health, and divine protection. They wear close-fitting dresses typical of the period, and the hieroglyphic inscription above them purportedly is the name "Nes-Noub," probably referencing a divinity or royal authority. Characteristic traits such as the noses suggest a precise attribution to the reign of Amenhotep I. This style reflects the refined sculptural traditions that flourished in the early 18th Dynasty, following the consolidation of Egypt's empire under Ahmose I. Size: 4.75" L x 0.8" W x 8.9" H (12.1 cm x 2 cm x 22.6 cm); 9.5" H (24.1 cm) on included custom stand.

Hieroglyphs: The vertical inscription at the top appears to read right to left (common in funerary stelae). Though worn and shallowly incised, it includes:

A reed leaf (h or j sound),

A duck (possibly sa, “son” or s?),

A folded cloth (s),

A mouth glyph (r),

And what may be a placenta or comb, which can represent different concepts.

While not enough is preserved to fully translate with certainty, it might be a name or brief dedication—possibly invoking a title or the word "servant of" or "singer/dancer of [a deity]."

2. Figures:The two women depicted are elegant and highly stylized:

- They wear tripartite wigs and hold lotus blossoms, symbols of rebirth and purification.

- Their stances are formal, frontal in posture but rendered in profile—a stylistic hallmark of Egyptian relief carving.

Given the iconography and pose, they may represent priestesses, singers, or mourning women often found in tomb contexts.

Provenance: private Boca Raton, Florida, USA collection acquired from Baidun Gallery, Jerusalem, Israel. Accompanied by French export certificate (Passport #125189).

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#194883

Professionally repaired from 4 large pieces with infill along break lines. Old loss to upper right side as shown. Mounted on a metal back panel and comes with a custom display stand.