Statue of a man with Ptah

Statue of a man with Ptah

Ancient Egypt, New Kingdom, 19th dynasty, ca. 1295 - 1186 BC
Basalt

Our October Object of the Month is this Ancient Egyptian statue of a kneeling man. He is presenting a stela, or commemorative tablet, with an image of the god Ptah. Ptah was an important god associated with the city of Memphis, near to modern-day Cairo. He was believed to be a creator god and a patron of craftsmen. Memphis was the capital city and site of royal palaces and burials in the New Kingdom. As Ptah was the main god of Memphis, he became particularly important during the New Kingdom.  

Some of Ptah’s titles included Lord of Lower Egypt, Master Craftsman, Lord of Truth, and Lord of the Sky. He was believed to have created the world using his thought and speech. He was often described as nefer-her or ‘benevolent of face’, and the Ancient Egyptians believed that he would listen to their individual prayers. Ptah was depicted as a man with a cap and beard who holds a measuring rod to signify his status as a god of craftsmen. He was usually depicted in mummified form, with his body wrapped for burial. This emphasised his eternal existence as a god and his power over life and death.

Fragment of papyrus depicting Ptah and Ramses III, Wikimedia commons

Our Object of the Month is an example of a theophorous statue, which means ‘god bearer’ in Greek. Wealthy people could have statues made of themselves presenting an image of a god which they could donate to a temple. Their hope was that their memory, and the memory of their generous donation, would be preserved for eternity and that they would gain the favour of the gods, priests, and other temple visitors. Statues displayed in temples were looked after and presented with offerings. By donating a statue of themselves with an image of a god, people hoped that they might receive offerings after their death. This statue is a fascinating form of self-expression. The man who commissioned it clearly wanted to be remembered as someone with wealth and high status. He is wearing the latest New Kingdom fashions – linen clothing with pleated sleeves and an elaborate wig. His skirt, or shendyt, is also pleated.

Statue of a man, Yuny, and his wife Renenutet, wearing New Kingdom fashions, New Kingdom, 19th dynasty, ca. 1294 – 1279 BC, Metropolitan Museum, object number 15.2.1

Temples housed the main images of the gods and goddesses, which were given offerings of food, drink, incense, music, and clothing. The main statues were kept in the sacred sanctuary or naos at the back of the temple. The Ancient Egyptians believed that statues were channels for communication with the gods once the ceremony of ‘opening the eyes and mouth’ had been carried out. This ceremony involved using special tools to touch the eyes and mouth of a statue to enable it to breathe, see, and receive food and drink. It was the daily duty of priests to present offerings to the statues. Women had an important part to play in temples, as musicians and chanters which provided entertainment for the gods.

Relief showing a priest and a woman worshipping Anubis, with a pile of offerings, New Kingdom, 18th dynasty, ca. 1400 – 1390 BC, Metropolitan Museum, object number 90.6.128

This object is just one of the many objects that form part of Denys Eyre Bower’s five impressive collections which include Ancient Egyptian, Japanese, Buddhist, Stuart and Jacobite, and Books. For more information on these objects, review our Object of the Month series, visit the Historic House and Collections or contact our Curator, Naomi Collick by email or by calling 01892 870347.