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The hieroglyphic
name of Nefermaat |
Nefermaat was a prince of
Fourth Dynasty,
Old Kingdom, c. 2613-2589 BC. The Egyptian genius for innovation and technical experimentation is well established by the tomb of Prince Nefermaat, a very extended personage of the early Fourth Dynasty who was Vizier to
King Sneferu; he bore the title Great Son of the King. In his mastaba tomb at
Meidum lively settings of life on his estates are described in a technique of coloured pastes inflamed into hollowed-out bas-reliefs, which is said to have been broken by the prince himself. Unluckily the exceptionally dry
climate of Egypt intended that the inlays became preserved and crumpled; the original effect, however, must have been taking.
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| The Mastaba of Nefermaat |
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| From the tomb of Nefermaat |
Nefermaat likewise had at his disposition the finest painters of his day. His tomb, and that of his wife Atet, are famous for the wonderful paintings which decorated them. These include the famous
geese (from Atets tomb), episodes of birdtrapping, and an antelope being taken by a handler. There are also winning settings of the sons of Nefermaat and Atet taking on with their household pets, monkeys, geese and dogs.
Nefermaat was a enthusiast of Prince
Khafre and was one of those senior members of the royal family who learned his last sequence to the kingship. One of his boys was Hemionu, the Vizier, who is attributable with the direction of the expression of King
Khnum-Khufu's Great Pyramid.
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