Griffith Institute w&d 158 | Pied Avocet and Siberian White Crane at the pool's edge
Artist
Not signed, probably Howard Carter or perhaps Marcus W. Blackden.
Date
1891 or 1893.
Site
Deir el-Bersha.
Tomb of Djehutihotep. Temp. Sesostris II and Sesostris III.
Hall (Inner Room). North wall, upper part.
Deir el-Bersha.
Tomb of Djehutihotep. Temp. Sesostris II and Sesostris III.
Hall (Inner Room). North wall, upper part.
Description
A Pied Avocet and Crane wading in the vegatation at the edge of a pool with a Lilyflower in the centre between the birds.
From scene: Top register, Djehutihotep and son (above doorway) netting wild fowl, with wife standing by net.
A Pied Avocet and Crane wading in the vegatation at the edge of a pool with a Lilyflower in the centre between the birds.
From scene: Top register, Djehutihotep and son (above doorway) netting wild fowl, with wife standing by net.
Technical data
Watercolour.
226 mm x 262 mm.
Annotations:
Mount, recto,
'Avocets'; 'Cf. El Bersheh. Pt. I. Plate XXI.'; 'Not reproduced in colour'; '6' [on circular exhibition(?) label].
Mount, verso,
'No 62 El Bersheh I. Pl: XXI.'; 'Avocet blk Dull'.
Watercolour.
226 mm x 262 mm.
Annotations:
Mount, recto,
'Avocets'; 'Cf. El Bersheh. Pt. I. Plate XXI.'; 'Not reproduced in colour'; '6' [on circular exhibition(?) label].
Mount, verso,
'No 62 El Bersheh I. Pl: XXI.'; 'Avocet blk Dull'.
Griffith Institute w&d
158
158
Publications see
PM iv.180(17)-(18) | TopBib 409-060-010-020; GI w&d Deir el-Bersha Project; Newberry, P. E. El Bersheh i [1894], 30-1 pls. xx, xxi.
PM iv.180(17)-(18) | TopBib 409-060-010-020; GI w&d Deir el-Bersha Project; Newberry, P. E. El Bersheh i [1894], 30-1 pls. xx, xxi.
This copy of two birds comes from the bottom left of the pool of wild fowl. The left hand bird is undoubtedly a Pied Avocet (Recurvirostra avosetta). The right hand bird has previously been identified as a juvenile Common Crane, but the white head and neck and the reddish legs and bill count against this. A White Stork (Ciconia ciconia) is also unlikely because of the lack of any black on the wings. However, if the bird portrayed on GI w&d 157 is a Siberian White Crane, then this is more likely the immature or sub-adult of that species, on the balance of probabilities, in spite of a few inaccuracies.
Photography Jenni Navratil, assisted by Hana Navratilova
Editing and web pages Elizabeth Fleming, assisted by Francisco Bosch-Puche & Cat Warsi.