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Statuette of an offering bearer
Thebes, tomb of Meketre, early Dynasty 12, ca. 1985 B.C.
Gessoed and painted wood, h. 44 1/8 in.
Rogers Fund and Edward S. Harkness Gift, 1920
20.3.7

The figure holds a live duck by its wings in one hand and balances a basket of foodstuffs on her head with the other. In rural areas Egyptians still carry heavy loads on their heads, as do people in many parts of the world.

This figure is larger than the others because she embodies the products of an entire estate that Meketre determined to be the source that would provide offerings for his funeral cult in perpetuity. Her size, broad collar necklace, bracelets, anklets, and dress indicate her importance. The patterns on her dress represent small feathers, and the vertical stripes of the underskirt, long wing feathers. Goddesses are frequently portrayed in similar costumes. Here the dress probably refers to Isis or Nephthys, both of whom protected the dead in the afterlife. Interestingly, because the action of offering is important, offering women may stride - a pose usually reserved for men. The companion figure in Cairo is dressed in a garment made of bead netting.

Since this statue is made of wood, it must have been carved from the roughly cylindrical shape of a tree trunk, yet the squared base and the frontal, balanced pose conform to the rectilinear style of stone sculpture. Unlike the case in stone sculpture, however, in wooden figures the space between body and limbs is open, creating a more lifelike appearance. The colors and patterns, as well as the figure's large eyes and slender, subtly naturalistic form, are arresting. The gray-green color, especially on the wig but also on the garment, originally may have been blue, the hair color of deities. The arms, base, duck figure, and basket were made separately, then attached to the body.

Notice: pose, costume, colors, materials, contrasts

Discuss: what looks Egyptian about the figure, significance of size, symbolism, function

Compare with: Statue of Hatshepsut, Statuette of Amun, Statuette of the god Anubis, and Magical stela (detail)

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