<em>Statuette of a Female Acrobat</em>, ca. 1938–1630 B.C.E. Limestone, pigment, 4 × 2 × 7 in. (10.2 × 5.1 × 17.8 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the Egypt Exploration Fund, 13.1024. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 13.1024_profile_PS2.jpg)

Statuette of a Female Acrobat, ca. 1938–1630 B.C.E. Limestone, pigment, 4 × 2 × 7 in. (10.2 × 5.1 × 17.8 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the Egypt Exploration Fund, 13.1024. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 13.1024_profile_PS2.jpg)

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Statuette of a Female Acrobat

Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

On View: Funerary Gallery 3, Martha A. and Robert S. Rubin Gallery, 3rd Floor

By placing a sculpture of an acrobat in his tomb, Sa-Inher declared that he had sufficient wealth to enjoy such diversions throughout eternity. This acrobat is portrayed performing a backbend. The figure’s head was missing when the tomb was excavated; most likely it was broken by grave robbers. The red lines on the woman’s body represent a network of beads or body paint.

MEDIUM Limestone, pigment

Place Excavated: Tomb D303, Abydos, Egypt

DATES ca. 1938–1630 B.C.E.

DYNASTY Dynasty 12 to early Dynasty 13

PERIOD Middle Kingdom

DIMENSIONS 4 × 2 × 7 in. (10.2 × 5.1 × 17.8 cm) (show scale)

COLLECTIONS Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

ACCESSION NUMBER 13.1024

CREDIT LINE Gift of the Egypt Exploration Fund

CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Limestone statuette, in the round, of nude female dancer performing a funerary dance (the Khetebt). Body bent backward. Face up, with hair touching base, body supported by arms which rest on oblong uninscribed base. Traces of red paint on body. Condition: Entire head missing from top of neck to lower part of hair. Body has been assembled and there are minor chips on arms. Red lines on body apparently indicate a bead network. Traces of black paint at base of hair indicate that it was painted black.

EXHIBITIONS

MUSEUM LOCATION This item is on view in Funerary Gallery 3, Martha A. and Robert S. Rubin Gallery, 3rd Floor

CAPTION Statuette of a Female Acrobat, ca. 1938–1630 B.C.E. Limestone, pigment, 4 × 2 × 7 in. (10.2 × 5.1 × 17.8 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the Egypt Exploration Fund, 13.1024. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 13.1024_profile_PS2.jpg)

IMAGE profile, 13.1024_profile_PS2.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2009

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RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY

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