Stela of Steward Ptahemsai

ca. 1876-1759 B.C.E.

Wealthy Egyptians sometimes commissioned unique stelae with representations specific to their personal needs and wishes, but most people could not afford such custom-made funerary equipment. Instead, they selected uninscribed stock pieces with standard representations of men, women, and offerings and had the names of individual family members added after purchase. The owner of this stela held a position comparable to that of a modern butler or house manager. His socioeconomic position suggests that this example was an “off-the-rack” model.