Bidspirit auction | Sarcophagus of the Nubian archer

Sarcophagus of the Nubian archer Khety. - Sarcophagus of the Nubian archer Khety. 1st Intermediate Period - Middle Kingdom, 9th - 11th dynasty, ca. 2160 - 2064 BC. The sarcophagus's side walls and lid (1.90 x 0.44 m) are made of 6.5 cm thick wooden planks. The base is missing. The planks are painted with hieroglyphs and figurative depictions on a yellow background. On one of the four sides, two large eyes are prominent, indicating that the deceased could have contacted the outside world. The tomb owner was apparently a Nubian named Khety, who is depicted to the left of the eyes. Behind him is his fair-skinned wife, carrying a large, sealed vessel. Behind and below them are various objects and foodstuffs, including two quivers, a pair of shoes, eleven vessels in a stand, and a beef leg. The slaughter of a cow and the presentation of an antelope are also depicted. On the opposite side is a list of offerings. The five wooden panels are suspended at intervals from one another on a modern iron frame (L 2.05 m, W 1.1 m, D 0.62 m). Khety's social standing was likely significant, judging by the execution quality, originality of imagery, and overall conception. In Khety's time, Nubians served as highly valued voluntary auxiliaries - elite troops with appreciable income - under the nomarchs of Asyut during the conflicts between the Herakleopolitan and Theban dynasties, prior to reunification under Mentuhotep I in 2064 BC.