Seated Vizier

Culture: Ancient Egyptian
Period: Middle Kingdom, 2055–1650 BCE
Dynasty: Dynasty 12, 1991–1802 BCE
Date: 1991–1783 BCE
Material: Anorthosite gneiss
from: Egypt, Africa
Classification: Sculpture, stone & mineral
Collection: Ancient Art
Current Location: On View, Gallery 313
Dimensions: 18 1/8 x 6 5/16 x 12 3/16 in. (46 x 16 x 31 cm)
Credit Line: Funds given by David and Paula Kipnis, Friends Endowment Fund, Mr. and Mrs. Christian B. Peper, an anonymous donor, and Mr. and Mrs. Lester A. Crancer Jr.; and Museum Purchase and gift of J. Lionberger Davis, an anonymous donor, and Clark and Marian Shay, by exchange
Rights: Public Domain
Object Number: 1:2007

NOTES

Ancient Egyptian artists did not attempt to create a lifelike portrait; rather their goal was to convey the status of the individual. This seated man can be identified as a vizier, a high official much like a prime minister, by the cord that hangs around his neck. His seal of state was hung on the cord; here the seal is shown tucked into his kilt for safekeeping. This statue was never finished. Note that the head is more finely polished than the lower body, and that it lacks an inscription that would have identified him.

Provenance

by 1930 - 2003
Adolphe and Suzanne Stoclet, Brussels, Belgium; Madame Féron-Stoclet, Brussels, Belgium, by inheritance; her family, by inheritance; consigned to Galerie Koller, Zurich, Switzerland [1]

2003/03/27- 2007
Rupert Wace Ancient Art and Charles Ede Limited (James Ede), London, England, purchased from Galerie Koller auction, March 27, 2003, lot no. 1408 [2]

2007 -
Saint Louis Art Museum, purchased from Rupert Wace Ancient Art and Charles Ede Limited [3]

Notes
[1] See the auction catalogue ["Möbel, pendulen, bronze, spiegel, tapisserien und diverses." Galerie Koller, Zurich, Switzerland, March 27, 2003, lot no. 1408].

[2] See note [1].

[3] Bill of Sale dated January 17, 2007 [SLAM document files]. Minutes of the Collections Committee of the Board of Trustees, Saint Louis Art Museum, November 28, 2006.

We regularly update records, which may be incomplete. If you have additional information, please contact us at provenance@slam.org.