Stelophorous Statue of Bay
This statuette depicts a kneeling man holding a stela inscribed with a hymn to the sun. An inscription on the back of the statuette identifies the man as Bay, who was a scribe working in the administration of the temple of Seti I, a post he probably held into the reign of Seti's son, Ramesses II. Complete statues of nonroyal individuals from this period are uncommon, and pieces of this fine quality are extremely rare.
Credit: Purchase, Fletcher Fund and The Guide Foundation Inc. Gift, 1966 (66.99.94); Gift of R. J. Demarée, 2009 (2009.253)
c. 1294-1250 B.C.
Limestone
11.1 x 4.0 x 5.9 in
66.99.94
Image and text © Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2020
Where you'll find this
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Permanent collection