Figure of Kneeling Man

The artisan who made this piece combined a functioning vessel with the figure of a kneeling woman holding round pots and a curved horn. She probably represents a midwife with the items of her trade: vessels containing oils and drugs for easing the mother's discomfort. This hollow piece probably held such a soothing salve or pain-reducing agent itself.

• Medium: Steatite, glazed
• Geographical Location: Egypt
• Dates: ca. 1336-1327 B.C.E., ca. 1327-1323 b.c, or ca. 1323-1295 B.C.E.
• Dynasty: late XVIII Dynasty
• Period: New Kingdom
• Dimensions: 3 13/16 x 2 in. (9.7 x 5.1 cm)
• Collection: Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art
• Museum Location: Brooklyn Museum, BMA, EXHIBITION-3, ECAMEA-3G81
• Accession Number: 49.53
• Image: "West Wing gallery 8 installation", CUR.49.53_wwg8.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, Nov 30, 2005