Container in the Form of a Female Dwarf

This pregnant nude female has a fancy hairdo and her nipples are outlined in black pigment to draw attention to them. She also displays characteristics that suggest she is clearly meant to be understood to be a female achondroplastic dwarf. It is possible a dwarf was chosen as the subject for this container because in ancient societies, the physical characteristics of dwarfism could create difficult pregnancies and the women often died giving birth. A female dwarf who could successfully give birth would be a very potent symbol.
The statuette’s interior has been hollowed out so that the figurine was meant to serve as a container, although its lid is now missing. The figurine could have functioned as a kohl jar, although no signs remain of any material used for eye makeup remains. There is an alternative interpretation for the jar’s use, however, and that is as a container to hold something magical (see. 43.8a, b). Such an interpretation might connect effectively to the special pregnancy represented.