Raramu and Ankhet

This double statuette (57.2 × 36.2 cm) depicts the married couple Raramu and Ankhet, and it was found within Raramu’s tomb (G 2099).

Raramu was an elite in Ancient Egyptian society within the Old Kingdom period, and he held many titles. Some of those titles showcase his royal ties, such as,

“Priest of Khufu in all (his) Places, Royal Acquaintance, Under-Supervisor of Palace Attendants of the Great House, Royal Web-Priest”, among others.

Raramu and Ankhet — Toledo Museum of Art. 1949.4

The statue is in typical Old Kingdom style. With a rather blocky type style of sculpture, the rigidity of the pair fits in well with many other couple or family statues from the time. Ankhet wears a long dress, with a shoulder-length wig of plaited hair. Her feet has traces of yellow paint upon them, the traditional colour for women in Ancient Egyptian art, although outliers do exist. Ankhet’s arm caresses Raramu’s back as her hand rests upon his shoulder in a comforting pose, which is, again, very typical of the Old Kingdom style of sculptured portraiture.

Raramu, wears a kilt, known to the Egyptians as a “shendyt“, a dagger seems to be poking above the waistline. His legs and feet are reddish in tone, again, typical of the canon of Egyptian colour schemes, as men were usually painted with red skin. He wears a shortly cropped wig and holds two objects in his hand.

Seated statue of Raramu, showcasing his son Kahersetef. This statue was found within the serdab of Raramu's tomb (G 2099). — Seated statue of Raramu, showcasing his son Kahersetef. This statue was found within the serdab of Raramu’s tomb (G 2099).
Toledo Museum of Art. 1949.5

The couple had two known children, a daughter named Tjes-tjaset and a son called Kahersetef. Both feature upon a seated statue of Raramu also found within his tomb. Purchased with funds from the Libbey Endowment, Gift of Edward Drummond Libbey, the statue, along with the seated statue of Raramu now resides in the Toledo Museum of Art, in Ohio, United States.

Seated statue of Raramu, view showcasing his daughter Tjes-tjaset. This statue was found within the serdab of Raramu's tomb (G 2099). — Seated statue of Raramu, view showcasing his daughter Tjes-tjaset. This statue was found within the serdab of Raramu’s tomb (G 2099).
Toledo Museum of Art. 1949.5

The stone-built mastaba of Raramu (G 2099), was excavated by the American Egyptologist and archaeologist, George Andrew Reisner Jr. (November 5th, 1867 – June 6th, 1942). Resiner is also credited with the discovery of the Giza tomb of Queen Hetepheres I, the mother of King Khufu. Reisner also discovered the tomb of Nefer, of who we have a post about here.

The serdab of Raramu's tomb, G 2099, still filled with debris as the statues of Raramu and Ankhet were discovered, 1939. — The serdab of Raramu’s tomb, G 2099, still filled with debris as the statues of Raramu and Ankhet were discovered, 1939.

Human skeleton found within the tomb of Raramu, 1939.

Summary:
Painted limestone statue of Raramu and his wife Ankhet
Old Kingdom, 5th Dynasty, c. 2400 B.C.
Tomb of Raramu (G 2099), Giza Plateu.
Toledo Museum of Art. 1949.4

Raramu and Ankhet

Raramu and Ankhet

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