Nicholson, Charles: Aegyptiaca (London, 1891)

96

EGYPTIAN FUNEREAL INSCRIPTIONS

The fragments when purchased were represented
by Mr. Massara as having been brought from Mem-
phis, a statement that derives confirmation from the
terms of the inscriptions they contain. No certain
or reliable information could, however, be furnished
as to the exact locality from whence they came.
Mr. Bonomi thinks he can almost identify them as
belonging to one of the several tombs excavated by
the Prussian mission in the neighbourhood of the
Great Step Pyramid of Sakara. He says that he
distinctly recollects one such tomb having six square
piers or columns. The roof-stones were gone, and
but little of the walls left. Mr. Bonomi further
suggests that the fragments of only five of the
pieces herein referred to had been preserved, those
of the sixth having been too much mutilated to be
considered worth the trouble of transport.

Notwithstanding the eroded condition of the
stones, the traces of sculpture left are, for the most
part, deep and well defined, and display a style of
execution not far removed from the best examples
of ancient Egyptian art. Portions of the original
colouring applied to the surface are still discernible.
The outlines are given in deep intaglio, and the
forms of the kneeling as well as of the standing
figures, with their flowing drapery, are well de-
lineated, and are not without grace. "With these
preliminary remarks, I shall now proceed to describe
each of the fragments with somewhat more of detail.

The two blocks delineated in the lithograph plate
I A, probably constitute only two-thirds of the
whole of the pier to which they originally belonged