Egypt
Third Intermediate Period , XX Dynasty, Royal Cache Deir el-Bahari, 1069-945 BC
Blue faience with black inscription
Height 14.5 cm ( 5 3⁄4 in )
Former private collection France, acquired from C. Bouché in 1990’s
J G. Maspero: Les momies royales de Deir el-Bahari, E. Leroux, Paris 1889
J.F. & L. Aubert: Statuettes Égyptiennes, Chaouabtis et Oushebtis, Paris, 1974 : p.145, fig.67
Glenn James, Shabtis – A Private View, Cybèle Paris 2002, no. 54, p. 107
J.-L. Chappaz, Les Statues Funéraires du Musée d’Art et d’Histoire et quelques collections privées, Geneva 1984 : no. 044, p. 54/55
H. Ranke: Die Ägyptischen Personennamen, Glückstadt 1935, Band I 179-15
Nestanebeticheru has her arms crossed right over left on the chest. Her hands protrude from the wrappings, each holding a hoe modelled in low relief and outlined in black; a seed bag is carried on the back. Her round face is framed by a striated tripartite wig, large round eyes with arched eyebrows are outlined in black, the mouth is not painted. Eight columns of black hieroglyphic inscription present part of Chapter VI of the Book of the Dead, and the name and title of the deceased: ‘Nestanebeticheru, Great lady-in-chief of the Harem of Amun’. Princess Nestanebeticheru was the daughter or Pinedjem II and Nesykhonsu.
The Royal Cache (TT320) is an ancient Egyptian tomb located close to Deir el-Bahari in the Theban necropolis first discovered circa 1870. The tomb was the last resting place of the High Priest of Amun, Pinedjem II, his wife Nesykhonsu, and other close family members. Pinedjem II died circa 969 BC, a period of decline of the Egyptian kingdom, when mummies from former dynasties were vulnerable to pillage. Consequently, the contents of earlier tombs were rescued, and more than 50 kings, queens, and other New Kingdom royal mummies were moved to this tomb for protection from grave robbers.