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Seated Statuette of Si-Hathor

Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

This statuette combines the seated image of the deceased with the base where the inscription would normally be carved. Here, the artist carved the offering prayer directly onto Si-Hathor’s garment, a solution that saved on the amount of stone to be purchased.
MEDIUM Limestone, pigment
  • Reportedly From: Thebes, Egypt
  • DATES ca. 1818-1630 B.C.E.
    DYNASTY late Dynasty 12 to early Dynasty 13
    PERIOD Middle Kingdom
    DIMENSIONS 10 1/4 x 6 x 7 5/8 in. (26 x 15.2 x 19.4 cm)  (show scale)
    ACCESSION NUMBER 37.97E
    CREDIT LINE Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund
    CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Limestone statue of a man named Sa-Hathor represented squatting, on a round-backed base. He wears a long skirt which envelops his legs. This statue has been described as a “scribe” statue. On the portion of the skirt covering the lap and between the two hands which rest palms down on the thighs is an inscription. The figure wears a heavy wig once painted black. Black also are the base and the details of the eyes; the skin is reddish brown; the garment is white. Within the plain-incised signs of the inscription are the remains of blue frit inlays. The eyebrows are modelled and not in relief; the eyebrows are also somewhat arched, and the eyes are heavily outlined in black. The nipples are executed in relief. The head is titled slightly upwards. Inscription on Skirt: Ns’w di htp Skr-Ws;r ntr ‘; nb ;bdw di.f prt-hrw t hnkt ihw ;pdw n k; n im;hy S;-Hthr iri n ‘nhw msi n ddt-nbw Condition: Base chipped on right side; superficial chips from body and hands. Paint well-preserved on entire body except top of wig and left arm.
    MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view
    CAPTION Seated Statuette of Si-Hathor, ca. 1818-1630 B.C.E. Limestone, pigment, 10 1/4 x 6 x 7 5/8 in. (26 x 15.2 x 19.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 37.97E. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 37.97E_front_PS2.jpg)
    IMAGE front, 37.97E_front_PS2.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2006
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    RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY
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