Votive Stela of Ramose and Wepmose

Votive Stela of Ramose and Wepmose
Votive Stela of Ramose and Wepmose
 

GEM Number

4288

Collection

Main Galleries

Period

New Kingdom

Dynasty

19

Description

An extraordinary limestone votive stela from the tomb of Djefaihapy III at Asyut (also known as the Salakhana tomb).  It was dedicated by two men named Ramose and Wepmose to Amun-Re and Wepwawet (the local deity of Asyut). The iconography of the stela suggests a date in Dynasty 19. In the upper register, Ramose kneels before the jackal god Wepwawet who stands on a sledge-like standard. The short column of text above the deity’s head says: ‘Wepwawet of Upper Egypt, the Controller of the Two Lands’. Behind Wepwawet, is a bull described in the text as ‘Amun-Re Kamutef’ (the bull of his mother - a term originally denoting the king’s strength and fertility). In the middle register, Wepmose stands, raising both hands in adoration, before two jackals (Wepwawet of Upper Egypt and Wepwawet of Lower Egypt). Beneath the two jackals, is an offering table and smaller eels and fish above a large eel or snake. The eel was originally a sacred animal of the primeval deity Atum. In the lower register, Wepmose kneels in adoration before a goose with flapping wings and two recumbent goats. The goose has an erect phallus and is probably depicted here as an aspect of the god Amun. The two goats are also connected with Amun and Wepwawet.

Region
Upper Egypt
Area
Asyut
Limestone

Height

43.5 cm

Width

7 cm

Length

24.5 cm