Stela of IAm Ppjj* Laila. M. Azzam (Plate I) This article deals with the study of stela no JE.88012 currently housed in the Cairo Egyptian museum magazine R.27 N.3. Unfortunately nothing is known about its provenance, but according to the museum files the stela was said to be purchased from Sayed Milathem the antiquity dealer at Luxor 1 . I-Description: The stela under discussion is rectangular in shape measuring 26 cm. in height, 38 cm. in width, and a thickness of 6 cm. It is made of limestone, and it is in a poor state of preservation, with missing parts at edges except for the upper left corner. Despite the fact that the limestone is porous and the surface is pitted and scratched most of the scene and the inscription remain intact. The figures, the inscription, and the offerings are carved in sunk relief, except for the ears, the eyes, the mouth, the collar and the belt of the wife, the scepter of IAm Ppjj, and the tp sign which are carved in raised relief. II-Scene : The scene occupies the left side of the stela; it depicts the owner and his wife standing facing right. The deceased wears a short wig, and a pointed knee-length kilt adorned with chiseled dots. He holds a scepter in one hand, and a staff in the other from which, hangs what looks like a broad collar. As far as I am aware the collar was never depicted in this form. That makes the scene we are dealing with quite unique. Behind IAm Ppjj 2 , stands his wife @tpwt 3 depicted on a smaller scale floating in mid-air 4 . She wears a long wig without lappet 5 with locks arranged vertically, an elegantly carved broad collar, and a long * This article is dedicated to Prof. G.A. Gaballa with love and gratitude. 1 The Stela was cited in the manuscript of J.J. Clère Stèles funéraires et votives du Moyen Empire. 2 For the reading of the name see note f. 3 For the name see note k. 4 A commonly used feature on stelae of the First intermediate period: Brovarski, E., The Inscribed Material of the First Intermediate Period from Naga-ed-Dêr, (Chicago 1989), 677. For similar examples see: Stela of Hesy, Naqada, 1 st Intermediate period, CG.1649. Fischer, H., Inscriptions from the Coptite Nome, AnOr.40. (1964), pl.17; Stela of Inheret-nakht, Sheikh Farag, 9/10 dynasties Boston MFA 25.671 : Leprohon, J., Stelae I. The Early Dynastic Period to the Late Middle Kingdom, (Mainz/Rhein 1985), 116f. Stela of Inher-nakht, Nag-ed-Deir, 9 th dynasty, Stockholm MME 1977:8: Brovarski, E., “A Stele of the First Intermediate Period from Naga-ed-Dêr”, Medelhavsmuseet Bulletin, Stockholm 18 (1983), 4. 5 The long wig without lappet was worn during the early tenth dynasty at Nag el Deir, and occurs sporadically at several other sites such as Thebes, Naqada and El Huw. Cf. Brovarski, Op.cit, 224. For similar examples see: Dunham, D., Naga-ed-Dêr stelae of the First Intermediate Period, (Oxford Univ. Pr., 1937), Pl. XVI,1 XXI,2, XXVIII,1; Stela of Khenemes, Naqada, 1 st Intermediate period, Or.Int.12015: Fischer, Coptite Nome, pl.16; Stela of Rehu, 1 st Intermediate Period, Schoske, S. & Wildung, D., Ägyptische Kunst München, (München 1985), 27, fig.16. Stela of Nenu, Gebelein, 9 th /10 th Dynasty, Boston MFA 03.1848: Fischer, H., “The Nubian Mercenaries of Gebelein during the First Intermediate Period”, Kush 9 (1961), p.56ff fig.3.; Stela of Intef, Sheikh Farag, 10 th dynasty, Boston MFA. 25.672: Leprohon, J., Stelae I., 121. Stela of Demdji, Dendera, Late 1 st Intermediate Period, Boston MFA 98.1049 see: Ibid, 37ff. Stela of Heny, Mesheikh, Late 1 st Intermediate Period, Boston MFA 12.1478: Ibid, 72ff. Stela of a Hathor priestess: Lutz, Egyptian Tomb Steles and Offering stones of the Museum of Anthropology Ethnology of the University of California, (Leipzig 1927), pl.12 no.28.