Egyptian limestone relief depicting the mummiform god Ptah, Late Period, 664–332 BC.
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Small Egyptian relief in limestone depicting the god Ptah in his mummiform form, standing inside a naos or architectural niche. The figure is wrapped in a tight-fitting shroud, with his arms close to his body and his hands emerging to hold the was scepter, a symbol of power and divine dominion.
Ptah is identified by:
- Rigid mummy-like form
Tight-fitting skull cap
Composite scepter (probably a combination of uas, anj, and djed, although wear makes it difficult to read completely)
The rectangular niche reproduces a miniature sanctuary, reinforcing the piece’s cultic function. The modeling is schematic but effective, typical of votive productions from the Late Period, where iconographic clarity takes precedence over naturalistic detail.
On the sides of the naos, male figures are depicted in profile with their arms raised in a gesture of worship (dwꜣ), iconography characteristic of the faithful or devotees in an attitude of worship. These figures reinforce the votive function of the piece, probably conceived as an offering deposited in a temple context linked to the cult of Ptah.
Historical context
During the Late Period (26th–30th Dynasties), Egypt experienced a strong religious and archaic revival. There was a proliferation of votive offerings and small divine images, a revaluation of traditional cults, and a large-scale production of limestone and bronze items.
Ptah, the creator god of Memphite theology and patron of craftsmen and architects, was especially venerated in Memphis, his main center of worship. Momiform images inside naoi were common, such as:
- Votive offerings deposited in temples
- Objects of private devotion
- Protective elements in funerary contexts
The size of the piece suggests a personal votive function rather than a monumental sculptural one.
Similar items
A rare example on the market. Typological parallels are preserved in public collections, such as the British Museum.
