Menkaure Dyad

Menkaure Dyad

Egyptian fourth Dynasty (Old Kingdom), 2613-2465 BC

unknown

Greywacke with traces of paint

142.2 cm tall

Egypt, Giza, Menkaure Valley Temple, thieves' hole, corridor III 4

Museum of Fine Arts Boston, Massachusetts, US

Menkaure was an ancient Egyptian king of the 4th Dynasty during the Old Kingdom. He became famous for his tomb, the Pyramid of Menkaure at Giza. He is thought to have at least two wives and not many children. His exact amount of years reigned is uncertain. Menkaure's pyramid at Giza was called Netjer-er-Menkaure which means "Menkaure is Divine". This pyramid is the smallest of the three Royal pyramids.

Description:
This dyad shows King Menkaure standing next to a woman, who wraps her arms around him affectionately or protectively. This standing pair is showing the figures in an active striding pose, while still being static. The pose is conveying both action and stasis. The space between the legs is filled in for support and the pair is also physically attached to a back pillar.
King Menkaure is shown with a well-muscled torso and idealized wearing a nemes, false beard and 3-part kilt. He is shown holding something in his hand that has been thought to be a knot of fabric or a sawn-off staff. The woman is shown clothed, wearing a wig with natural hair peeking out from underneath. Both figures are standing with one foot forward as if to take a step. This pair is partly finished. King Menkaure's head is completely finished, while the woman's is nearly finished. The statue shows fine carving and careful polishing on the figures, while the base and supports are rough and unfinished, and lacking descriptions commonly found on these types of sculptures. With no base inscription, it makes it difficult to properly identify the female. Both figures have very similar facial features, composure and frontality.


Significance:
The dyad's find location is very important. It was discovered in what is now called "Thieves' Hole" at the Menkaure Valley Temple, which lie on the bank of the Nile. It was a very accessible spot to Egyptians. There are remains of an ancient priest village and other evidence that supports the claim that this used to be a cult temple. Meaning, this statue would be intended to be viewed by the public and used in cult activity.

This dyad also gives us an insight into social personas in burials. It adds to the idea that social status played a part in burials and there is a correlation between the social status of the deceased and their interpersonal relationships.

Although it is not an individualized depiction of the pair, it can tell us a lot about the relationship and intimacy of the pair and gives a glimpse into the king's humanity. There are many theories about who the woman in the dyad is. While originally thought to be his wife, there are also theories that it is Menkaure's mother or a deity/ goddess. Since the bottom inscription was never finished, there are only theories.

“King Menkaura (Mycerinus) and queen.” Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, 30 Jan. 2018, www.mfa.org/collections/object/king-menkaura-mycerinus-and-queen-230.

“The Mystery of the Menkaure Dyad.” MFA.org, educators.mfa.org/sites/educators.mfa.dev/files/related_file_362.pdf.

Thompson, Stephen E. , and Peter Der Manuelian, editors. Egypt and Beyond. p.109-145 Department of Egyptology and Ancient Western Studies, Brown University, 2008.

Anna Nielsen