Family statues from the Old Kingdom often depict the adult male as the largest figure, indicating his position as head of the household. Here, the much smaller figure of the woman is shown kneeling and embracing her husband's leg in a conventional Egyptian gesture of love and support. The couple's son is depicted naked with his hair in a sidelock and a finger to his mouth—a standard way of indicating that he is a young child.
Catalogue Description:
Limestone statue of a man, his wife and child (son). The man is shown striding with his left foot forward and his hands clenched at his sides to hold “emblematic staves”. He wears a short wig the bottom of which slants downwards towards the rear. His kilt is half pleated. Kneeling by his side and clasping his left leg is a small representation of his wife. Standing by his right side is his nude son, with the sidelock of childhood, holding a finger to his mouth.
Condition: Back bottom and sides of base roughly hewn. Figure of owner battered and pitted on sides, shoulders and arms. Nose missing.
