Head of a Female Figure from the Tomb of Khety
Herbert E. Winlock, the Museum's field director at Thebes, identified this head as an image of the treasurer Khety in whose tomb it was found. Comparisons to complete figures with similar close-fitting, short hair determined, however, that this head belonged to a female figure.
The figure's head is a masterpiece of wood carving. Rounded cheeks, "love rings" on the neck, a dimpled chin, a smiling mouth, and the minutely modeled tiny curls of her hair combine to form an image of irresistible charm. The eyes must have been inlaid, and the eyebrows are still filled with dark paste; there are remains of black paint on the hair.
The figure's head is a masterpiece of wood carving. Rounded cheeks, "love rings" on the neck, a dimpled chin, a smiling mouth, and the minutely modeled tiny curls of her hair combine to form an image of irresistible charm. The eyes must have been inlaid, and the eyebrows are still filled with dark paste; there are remains of black paint on the hair.
Artwork Details
- Title: Head of a Female Figure from the Tomb of Khety
- Period: Middle Kingdom
- Dynasty: Dynasty 11
- Reign: reign of Mentuhotep II
- Date: ca. 2051–2000 B.C.
- Geography: From Egypt, Upper Egypt, Thebes, Deir el-Bahri, Tomb of Khety (TT 311, MMA 508), MMA excavations, 1922–23
- Medium: Wood, paint and paste fill
- Dimensions: H. 6.3 cm (2 1/2 in.); W. 4.1 cm (1 5/8 in.); D. 5.2 cm (2 1/16 in.)
- Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1926
- Object Number: 26.3.104a
- Curatorial Department: Egyptian Art
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