Figure of a Man
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Object Label
These three figurines represent two women and a man. They resemble the group painted on the Jar with Boat Design in a nearby case. In the scene on the jar, the larger female figure with upraised arms appears to be celebrating a ritual in the presence of the two smaller figures.
The bird-like faces on two of these figurines probably represent human noses, the source of the breath of life. The dark patch on the larger female’s head and the white paint on the male’s head and shoulders represent hair, also a human trait. All three figurines wear white skirts, indicating high-status individuals.
Caption
Figure of a Man, ca. 3500–3300 B.C.E.. Terracotta, pigment, 6 3/16 x 2 1/4 x 1 in. (15.7 x 5.7 x 2.6 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 35.1269. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 35.1269_front_PS6.jpg)
Title
Figure of a Man
Date
ca. 3500–3300 B.C.E.
Period
Predynastic Period, early Naqada II (possibly)
Geography
Possible place collected: Naqada, Egypt
Medium
Terracotta, pigment
Classification
Dimensions
6 3/16 x 2 1/4 x 1 in. (15.7 x 5.7 x 2.6 cm)
Credit Line
Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund
Accession Number
35.1269
Rights
Creative Commons-BY
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Frequent Art Questions
How do we know this is a woman?
Great question! 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. However, features like the breasts on the left figure help identify the sex of the piece. 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. Perhaps represents a priestess or a goddess dancing or performing ritualized mourning at a funeral ritual.The figure on the right is of a man. His form is more box shaped with bird type head. There is a bulge in between his legs which also indicates that it is a male.
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