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Wooden sculptures from Ancient Egypt are
exceedingly rare, since fine wood was
scarce and
expensive. Like most wooden sculpture
dating
from the Old Kingdom, the arms of this
sculpture
were carved separately and pegged into
place on
the torso. This male figure stands with
his left
leg striding forward in the classic
stance of a
standing official. The traditional
hallmarks of the
Old Kingdom style are clearly evident:
an
elongated, slender body, limbs that lack
muscular definition, a slightly
oversized head
with large eyes, and a narrow chin with
a slightly
smiling mouth. He holds the triangular-
shaped
overhang of his long white skirt in his
right hand.
His left hand hangs open along his side.
His hair
falls in layers of tight curls around
his head,
leaving his ears exposed. The wood is
painted in
a the traditional polychrome, with the
body dark
red, the hair and eyebrows black, the
skirt and
fingernails white. In addition, the
eyes are
brought to life with large black pupils
set against
the whites of the eyes. While similar
sculptures
feature hieroglyphic inscriptions that
aid in
attributing the identity of the figure,
this work
bears no such inscription, leaving the
name of
this man a mystery. Who might he have
been? A
pharaoh? A priest? A scribe? Surely
he was
someone of tremendous importance and
great
stature in order to be honored with such
a
gorgeous rendition of his being.
For a Similar Example, See the Wooden
Statue of
Metjetji in the Nelson-Atkins Museum of
Art,
Kansas City, MO
- (X.0108)
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