Offering Table Stela

Historical Reproduction - Vintage - 2001

DeAgostini, The Glory of Ancient Egypt, Collectors Figurine

Issue No. 20 - Statue Only

Approximately 3” tall

OFFERING TABLE STELA

The offering table stela is a type of ancient Egyptian artifact that served as a key component in religious rituals and funerary practices. Dating back to various periods of ancient Egyptian history, these stelae were typically made of stone, such as limestone or granite, and were inscribed with hieroglyphic texts and images depicting offerings and prayers to the gods.

The offering table stela was used as a focal point for offerings made by the living to honor deceased family members or to seek the favor and protection of the gods. These offerings could include food, drink, incense, and other items believed to sustain the deceased in the afterlife. The stela itself was often placed in or near the tomb, serving as a permanent monument to the deceased and a conduit for communication between the living and the gods.

The inscriptions on the offering table stela typically included the name and titles of the deceased, as well as prayers and invocations to the gods for their benevolence. Scenes depicting the deceased receiving offerings from family members or presenting offerings to the gods were common, illustrating the reciprocal relationship between the living and the deceased in Egyptian religious beliefs.

The offering table stela played a crucial role in ensuring the continued well-being and prosperity of the deceased in the afterlife. By providing sustenance and invoking divine protection, these stelae were believed to facilitate the deceased's journey to the realm of the gods and ensure their eternal reward.

Today, offering table stelae are valuable artifacts that provide valuable insights into ancient Egyptian religious beliefs, funerary practices, and artistic traditions. They serve as tangible reminders of the Egyptians' profound reverence for the divine, their ancestors, and the continuity of life beyond death.