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Wooden Stool with Latticework Bracing

Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

Pieces of furniture were included in burials until the end of the New Kingdom. Such objects are often seen as an attempt on the part of the Egyptians to take their material possessions with them. As has been stressed elsewhere, however, these goods did not necessarily reflect the needs of the deceased. The gesture of including precious or even practical objects may have been an attempt to please or appease the dead. This stool is virtually identical in size and construction to two of the four stools found in the tomb of Tutankhamun and is also paralleled by a number of other stools from private tombs of Dynasty XVIII.

MEDIUM Wood
  • Reportedly From: Saqqara, Egypt
  • DATES ca. 1539–1295 B.C.E.
    DYNASTY Dynasty 18
    PERIOD New Kingdom
    DIMENSIONS 9 5/8 x 10 1/2 x 9 1/8 in. (24.4 x 26.7 x 23.2 cm)  (show scale)
    ACCESSION NUMBER 37.45E
    CREDIT LINE Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund
    CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Wooden stool of "lattice-work" type. As restored, consists of curved top resting on 4 square legs, which are connected near their lower ends by rails. In between seat and rails on all 4 sides are "lattice-work" supports. On the shorter sides are three slats: a vertical slat in center and a diagonal on either side slanting to lower outside corner. On longer side are four slats: two vertical slats in center and a diagonal to either side. The top consists of wooden slats laid parallel to one another. Remnants of a white ground layer, thickly applied over bare wood, can be seen on all panels of the seat, in spots on the four legs and in one spot on one of the four stretchers. This appears to be original material to the object. On top of this white layer, traces of red pigment can been seen. Remnants of what appear to be original mud and straw fill material can bee seen on the underside of the seat panels.
    MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view
    CAPTION Wooden Stool with Latticework Bracing, ca. 1539–1295 B.C.E. Wood, 9 5/8 x 10 1/2 x 9 1/8 in. (24.4 x 26.7 x 23.2 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 37.45E. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 37.45E_PS9.jpg)
    IMAGE overall, 37.45E_PS9.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2014
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    RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY
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