A Limestone Round-topped Stele of Bebi, 13th/17th Dynasty, 1759-1540 B.C.

carved in sunk relief with the figures of two men flanking a table  laden with offerings of food and drink, one man seated on a chair, the other kneeling on the ground, his name inscribed above him, each wearing a kilt and extending his right hand towards a censer with high splayed foot, three lines of inscription above; remains of polychrome.

John Gadsby (1809-1893)
by descent to the present owner

good and as shown, notes abrasions around edges as well as nicks and abrasions on surface
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

The stela's owner is the 'officer of the ruler's crew' Bebi; it was dedicated by his son, the 'officer of the town regiment' Iufseneb. Thus, it appears that both men were in the military.

For another stele of the 3rd Intermediate Period carved in the distinctive style characteristic of this time cf. S. Bosticco, Le stele egiziane, Part I, Rome, 1959, no. 62.

John Gadsby is the author of My Wanderings, Being Travels in the East in 1846-47, 1850-51, 1852-53, in which he describes his extensive travels in Malta, Smyrna, Egypt, the Holy Land and Jerusalem, Italy, Greece, and other lands. It was first published in London in 1855. A second volume covered his travels between 1855 and 1859.

There is an old small rectangular label on the front of the base printed with the number 154.