Statue of a Female Figure

Statue of a Female Figure

Period:Middle KingdomDynasty:Dynasty 12, late–early 13Date:ca. 1850–1640 B.C. ?Geography:From Egypt, Memphite Region, Lisht North, cemetery east of Senwosret (758), Pit 752, MMA excavations, 1906–07Medium:Faience, paintDimensions:H. 12.7 cm (5 in)Credit Line:Rogers Fund, 1908Accession Number:08.200.18

Female figures of this type, often found with burials especially of the Middle Kingdom, were in the past called "concubines." Nowadays they are understood in a more general sense as representions of the life giving female powers of sexual attraction and giving birth, powers from which the dead could derive a new life. As most representatives of the type, this faience figure lacks the lower legs and has elaborate tatoos all over its body. The figure also wears a girdle of cowrie shell shaped beads and a long bead necklace crossed over the chest. The hair is arranged in the so-called "Hathor" style–two thick tresses with curled ends falling forward over the shoulders.

http://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/544220