Figurine of an Asiatic Woman
Returned to lender
This work of art was on loan to the museum and has since been returned to its lender.This object is not part of The Met collection. It was in the Museum for a special exhibition and has been returned to the lender.
This cloaked and booted woman wears her hair in a style known from earlier Mesopotamian female representations. Women with such hairdos appear in Middle Kingdom Egyptian tombs participating in a festival for Hathor, goddess of love and mistress of foreign lands. The hairstyle may add Hathoric associations to this depiction of an Asiatic foreigner. The wood carver added realistic touches by having the woman carry an infant on her back and endowing her with impressively personalized facial features.
This cloaked and booted woman wears her hair in a style known from earlier Mesopotamian female representations. Women with such hairdos appear in Middle Kingdom Egyptian tombs participating in a festival for Hathor, goddess of love and mistress of foreign lands. The hairstyle may add Hathoric associations to this depiction of an Asiatic foreigner. The wood carver added realistic touches by having the woman carry an infant on her back and endowing her with impressively personalized facial features.
Artwork Details
- Title: Figurine of an Asiatic Woman
- Period: Middle Kingdom
- Dynasty: Early Dynasty 12
- Date: ca. 1981-1919 B.C.
- Geography: Country of Origin Egypt, Beni Hasan, Tomb 181
- Medium: Wood, paint
- Dimensions: 6 × 1 11/16 × 1 7/8 in. (15.2 × 4.3 × 4.7 cm)
- Credit Line: On loan courtesy of National Museums Scotland
- Curatorial Department: Egyptian Art