Mayor of Thebes during the reign of Amenhotep II, Sennofer built his tomb on the west bank of the Nile, on a high point of the hill of Sheikh Abd-el-Gurna. The burial chamber is remarkable for its roughly hewn ceiling, an undulating surface painted to resemble an arbor with vines and clusters of grapes. Depicted on a pillar in the tomb, Sennofer's wife Meryt presents to her husband a basket containing a golden collar. The accompanying text describes the gesture of her right hand, "making fast the double heart (amulet)," referring to the decoration in the shape of two stylized hearts which hangs from Sennofer's neck. Within the hearts are written the prenomen and nomen of Amenhotep II. A number of the cracks visible in this photo have since widened, and portions of Meryt's arm are now lost.

• Silver gelatin on glass
• 23.5 x 29.5 cm
• $375.00