Unfertige Stele mit der Darstellung von Echnaton und Nofretete vor einem Opfertisch

The personal piety of the inhabitants of Achet-Aton spread to the private and so-called “official” areas. The latter includes a small votive stele on which the royal couple is depicted while offering offerings to Aton. The recessed relief is only roughly executed and has traces of painting. The four name cartouches were empty and probably painted, but it is not possible to determine whose names they included. For stylistic reasons, however, it can be assumed that the depictions are Akhenaten and Nefertiti. The inhabitants of Achet-Aton sometimes placed stele like this in their homes to demonstrate their convinced adherence to the official faith. In addition to officials who carried the religion of Akhenaten outwards for career reasons, there were loyal supporters of the king’s teaching. They wore rings, chains and pendants with the name of the Aton or her Pharaoh and honored the triad of Achet-Aton with votive stele and house altars. After: Taschner, L.; Weber, A., in: F. Seyfried (eds), Im Licht von Amarna. 100 years of the Nofretene find, Berlin 2012, p. 238 (Cat. No. 25). Origin information: German Orient Society (DOG), client Borchardt, Ludwig (5.10.1863 - 12.8.1938), head of the excavation Amenophis (Amenhotep) IV/Akhenaten Dating: Amenhotep IV/Akhenaten N 51.06 (house) (Egypt/Middle Egypt/Amarna/N 51.06 - 09 (houses)) farm donation James Simon, 1920 (Egyptian museum and collection of papyrus)