Illustrations of Princess Hemet-Ra

The reliefs shown here are to be found in the main chapel of the mastaba of Princess Hemet-Ra. The chapel roof is supported by four pillars which are aligned on a north-south axis. Hassan tells us that the northernmost pillar is unfinished and undecorated, but that the other three pillars are well-finished and decorated with reliefs of Princess Hemet-Ra, her family and assistants. Hassan documented the faces of the these pillars, referring to them as the first pillar, second pillar and southern pillar. It is these descriptions that are quoted below. Unfortunately, I have been unable to determine the names of the Princess's family and assistants from my reference material. Omissions are noted as "[...]". You may click on the images to see larger versions in which case use BACK to return to this page.
 

The First Pillar, The Eastern Face (Fig.39)

The scene is bordered on its right and left sides by a frame of rectangles coloured light blue and dark yellow alternately. The princess is shown in a standing attitude with her right hand placed open upon her breast, and her left arm hanging by her side. She wears a long black wig, a broad necklace and bracelets, and is clad in a close-fitting garment of a dark green colour. Above her head is a horizontal row of coloured hieroglyphs, reading: "The King's Daughter of His Body, Hemet-Ra".
 

In front of her are two vertical rows of hieroglyphs, reading:

(1) "The Possessor of Honour in the Presence of Her Father."
(2) "The Priestess of […], Hemet-Ra."

Below this inscription is the figure of the Overseer of the Ka servants, one […]. This official, while on a smaller scale than the figure of the Princess, is yet represented on a larger scale than any other priest depicted in this tomb. This may be due to the importance of his position.

He is shown in a walking attitude, his left hand clasping a roll of papyrus in his bosom, and his right arm hanging by his side, with the hand closed upon the unknown object.

Above his head is a horizontal row of hieroglyphs, reading: "The Honoured by His Master". In front of him is a vertical row of hieroglyphs, reading: "The Steward, the Overseer of the Ka servants, […]


The Second Pillar, The Eastern Face (Fig.40)

Princess Hemet-Ra is shown in the same attitude in which she appears upon the first pillar. Her wig is painted black, and she wears two necklaces, one of the "dog-collar" type, and the other a "usekh collar". Wide bracelets and anklets adorn her wrists and ankles. She wears a long tight rule [robe?], upheld by variegated coloured braces, and entirely covered by a net-work of red and green beads, which were presumably sewn onto the fabric of the garment. Above her head a horizontal row of hieroglyphs reads:

          "The King's Daughter of His Body, Hemet-Ra".

In front of the Princess are three superposed registers, in which are depicted five of her children, three sons and two daughters.

In the top register is represented a man. He is in a walking attitude, facing the Princess; he carries a roll of papyrus in his right hand, while his left hand rests closed upon his chest. In front of him a vertical row of hieroglyphs reads:

        "Her son, the King's Relative […]".

In the second register are the figures of two more men, both of whom are represented in a walking attitude, facing the Princess, the left hand placed closed upon their chests, and the right arm hanging at the side. In front of the right-hand figure is a vertical row of hieroglyphs reading:

         "Her Son, the King's Relative […]".

In front of the second man is inscribed vertically:

         "Her son, the King's Relative […]".

In the third register are the figures of two women; both are represented standing, the left hand placed open upon the breast, and the right arm hanging by the side. They wear long wigs, two necklaces, and long, tight robes; the right-hand figure also wears anklets. In front of this latter figure a vertical row of hieroglyphs reads:

"Her daughter, the King's Relative, […]".

In front of the second figure is inscribed:

"Her daughter, the King's Relative, […]".

Behind the legs of Princess Hemet-Ra is the figure of yet a third daughter. She is similarly clad to her sisters, and embraces her mother's legs with her right arm, while the left arm hangs at her side. Above her head is inscribed: "Her daughter, […]".