Pyramid Text of Pepy I

Fragment of limestone with incised hieroglyphs in vertical columns displaying the cartouche of Pepy I and fragments of Pyramid Text spells 266, 533, 539. The Pyramid Texts are a group of magical spells carved within the corridors and burial chambers of pyramids to help the king reach the Afterlife. The stone is inscribed on two sides and was originally part of the corner of a doorway. The hieroglyphs have traces of green pigment paste. In 2007 the object was identified as coming from the antechamber of Pepy I's pyramid at Saqqara. It was sold in 1919 with a smaller fragment of the same style (1973.2.308.2). Wellcome Historical Medical Museum accession no. 18875: Two ancient Egyptian mural fragments with inscriptions. 10¼" x 5 and 6" x 6. Purchased at Sotheby's, London, 18 July 1919, Lot 141: "Two ancient Egyptian mural fragments with inscriptions; also a small wood carved Hawk" (1919 p. 13). CONDITION NOTE 1998: Incomplete, large areas of loss, loss of pigment, discolouration, fresh abrasions, surface dirt, label adhered to surface.