Plate XLIX

The tomb of the 'High-priest of Onuris' Nebseny can be dated only by the style of its paintings, which are strongly reminiscent of the famous tomb of Nakht (no. 52). The subject is common­ place, but the rendering attractive. Immediately above the excerpt in the Plate, Nebseny and his wife arc seen worshipping the sun­ god in the early morning, and the preparations for a meal here shown are evidently connected with that matutinal ceremony. The ox lies trussed on a mat of green reeds, and one of the butchers, having already severed the head, is now cutting off a foreleg that is being held up by his companion. The latter is sup­ posed to be speaking the words written above: 'Take . . . and sustain the health of the priest (Nebseny).' The man with the large knife has his skirt splashed with the blood. To the right, the first offering-bearer brings a cone of white incense or the like; the second, what looks like a mass of aromatic fat on a table from which hang four brace of pigeons; and the third, a table loaded with grapes from which hangs a vine-trail resembling those of Plate LII