Collections: Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art: Female Figure

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Female Figure

Representations of female figures with highly abstracted forms occur throughout most of the Predynastic Period. On statuettes of this period, the legs are usually not articulated and the faces are beaklike. This rare undamaged example, one of the oldest works in the Brooklyn Museum, was found in a burial excavated by the Museum's first archaeological expedition in Egypt. The symbolism, function, and identity of the figure are not certain. However, similar female figures painted on Predynastic vessels appear to be goddesses, because they are always larger than the male "priests" shown with them.


• Medium: Terracotta, painted
• Reportedly From: Ma'mariya, Egypt
• Dates: ca. 3500-3400 B.C.E.
• Period: Predynastic Period, Naqada IIa Period
• Dimensions: 11 1/2 x 5 1/2 x 2 1/4 in. (29.2 x 14 x 5.7 cm)
• Collections: Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art
• Museum Location: This item is on view in Egypt Reborn: Art for Eternity, Egyptian Orientation Gallery, 3rd Floor
• Accession Number: 07.447.505
• Credit Line: Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund
• Rights Statement: Creative Commons-BY-NC

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• Caption: Female Figure, ca. 3500-3400 B.C.E. Terracotta, painted, 11 1/2 x 5 1/2 x 2 1/4 in. (29.2 x 14 x 5.7 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 07.447.505. Creative Commons-BY-NC
• Image: Overall, 07.447.505_SL1.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
Female Figure, ca. 3500-3400 B.C.E. Terracotta, painted, 11 1/2 x 5 1/2 x 2 1/4 in. (29.2 x 14 x 5.7 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 07.447.505. Creative Commons-BY-NC (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 07.447.505_SL1.jpg)