Stela of the Standard Bearer, Smen, New Kingdom, Dynasty 18, Reign of Thutmose IV, 1400-1390 BC

This round-topped stela belongs to a man named Smen who was the “standard bearer (of the boat) Menkheperure (Thutmose IV), the destroyer of Syria.” On the top register, Smen gives praise to Osiris-Wennefer, who is seated before an offering table. Behind Smen, the text reads: “born of the mistress of the house, Tjenna and the dignitary Shemsu.” The lower register depicts a man, Khaset, and a woman, Ruia, seated on a couch being libated by their daughter, Hesitre.

Smen, meaning “goose,” was a member of military unit that served in Syria during the reign of king Thutmose IV. His wife, Hesetre, is shown offering to her parents, Khaset and Ruia. Another stela belonging to Smen is in the Louvre (C202), which gives the name of Smen as well as his wife, Hesetre, and their son Nai.

This stela was acquired by the Louvre at the Hôtel Drouot Sale on March 12-13, 1862, lot number 5. The stela in the Senusret Collection was purchased by Georges Ricard for the Senusret Collection on 3 March 1975 from Jean-Francois Mignon, who bought and sold objects privately in Aix-en Provence. He started his career under Roger F. Galliano, a member of the Conciliation Commission at Central Customs in Paris, certified expert of the Chamber of Auctioneers of France and Judicial Officer of Geneva.

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