FRAGMENTARY STATUETTE OF A WOMAN
Artist
Place of production Abydos (?), Egypt
Date 1870–1650 B.C.
Object type sculpture Medium, technique Basalt
Dimensions 11.2 x 5.2 x 3.8 cm Inventory number 51.331
Collection Egyptian Art
On view Museum of Fine Arts, Basement Floor, Ancient Egypt, Daily life
This statuette representing a standing woman is broken off at the knees, the right arm and hand are damaged. Its material, size, stylistic features and low quality indicate that it was produced during the late Middle Kingdom, and it is also clear that its owner was not of high social standing.
The woman leans against a back pillar, originally probably with her feet together, while her arms are at her sides, with open palms facing the thighs. On her head is a wide, plain wig covering the ears and reaching down below the shoulders, to the top of her breast. The face is triangular with broad cheeks and a small, pointed chin. The
asymmetric eyes are small and set wide apart. The mouth is straight, and the lips are full. The slender figure is clothed in a long, clinging tunic with wide shoulder straps.
An inscription identifying the owner of a statue is often carved or incised on its back pillar. The remaining back pillar of this statuette, however, does not contain any traces of text. The piece may have originally been placed in a tomb or a private shrine at Abydos, the major cult place of Osiris, which was the most popular pilgrimage site during the Middle Kingdom.
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