Funerary Cone of Userhat

Artist Unidentified

Period New Kingdom Period (Ancient Egyptian, 1550–1070 BCE)

Dynasty Dynasty 18 (Ancient Egyptian, 1550–1295 BCE)

Place of OriginEgypt, Luxor (ancient Thebes), Tomb of Userhat

Dateabout 18th Dynasty (1550-1295 BCE)

Dimensions8 1/4 in. (21 cm)

Mediumterracotta

ClassificationUtilitarian Objects

Credit LineGift of Arthur F. Bissell

Object number

1911.20

Not on View

Label TextThis funerary cone is one of 95 similar objects found near the former entrance to the tomb TT 150 at the necropolis of Dra' Abu el-Naga' near Thebes (present-day Luxor). The tomb belonged to Userhat, an Overseer of the Cattle of Amun. The round, flat end of the cone is impressed with hieroglyphs identifying Userhat by his name and title. Funerary cones were architectural elements used as decoration on the mud-brick facades of private tombs in Thebes during the New Kingdom. Set into the upper edge of the tomb's exterior wall, these cones displayed inscriptions facing outward, serving both a decorative and commemorative function.Published ReferencesGauthier, Henri, “Rapport sur une campagne de fouilles à Drah abou’l Neggah, en 1906 [avec 13 planches],” Bulletin de l’Institut Français d’Archéologie Orientale, vol. 6, 1908, pp. 131-132.

Exhibition History

Toledo Museum of Art, The Egypt Experience: Secrets of the Tomb, October 29, 2010-January 8, 2012.