Carved slab, from grave of Seneni, courtier and priest

This funerary slab, known as a stele, was carved for the grave of Seneni, a courtier and priest of the goddess Hathor based in Dendereh in southern Egypt. It was originally in a chapel in front of the tomb. It records his success in life.

The upper part of the stele has been carved to show Seneni seated with food offerings piled up before him. He has the wooden staff, heavy wig and broad collar marking his rank. Below, another image of Seneni is surrounded by a speech about his life.

Stelae, symbolic doors between the worlds of the living and the dead, were the focus for offerings made by the family of the deceased during local religious festivals. They commemorate the dead and encourage the living to emulate their achievements.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-180-000-288-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland Part 2
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  A.1910.96
• Date: Around 2080 to 1937 BC (11th Dynasty)
  First Intermediate Period
  
• Material: Stela / cornice
  
• Dimensions: 910 mm x 610 mm
  
• What: Stela / cornice
  
• Subject: Stelae
  
• Who: Osiris
  Senni
  
• Where: Ancient Egypt, Dendereh
  
• Event:
• Description: Stela limestone cavetto cornice showing seated and standing figures of Senni before a table: Ancient Egyptian, from Dendera, First Intermediate Period
  
• References:
  • Sheridan, J A (ed). Heaven and Hell and Other Worlds of the Dead. Edinburgh: National Museum of Scotland, 2000. 
• Translations:
• Related Records: