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Overseer of Weavers, Min

Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

The texts on this statue identify the subject as a man named Min, an overseer of weavers. The block statue, invented in the Middle Kingdom, shows a figure sitting on the ground, often enveloped in a cloak from which only his head and hands emerge. This compact form was well-suited to the heavily traveled outer rooms of temples. The broad, striated wig and the placement of the short inscription running vertically between the figure’s knees suggest that the sculptor followed a Middle Kingdom prototype.
MEDIUM Green siltstone or greywacke
  • Reportedly From: Thebes, Egypt
  • DATES ca. 1479–1425 B.C.E.
    DYNASTY Dynasty 18
    PERIOD New Kingdom
    DIMENSIONS 9 1/4 × 4 1/2 × 6 in., 14 lb. (23.5 × 11.4 × 15.2 cm, 6.35kg)  (show scale)
    INSCRIPTIONS A single line of inscription down the front and another one around the base.
    ACCESSION NUMBER 37.249E
    CREDIT LINE Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund
    CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Grey-green schist block statue of Min. His cloak entirely envelopes the body, only the hands emerging from the sleeves of the garment. The contours of the body are subtly visible under the garment. Arms are crossed, right over left, the right clutching a handkerchief just visible by the thumb. The wide, striated wig falls to the shoulders, pushing his large ears forward. The eyes are rounded with lightly hooded upper lids. The eyebrows and cosmetic line are incised in low, delicate relief. He sits on a stela-shaped base. A single column of inscription runs down the front, and one continuous line around the base. Condition: Excellent overall, the nose slightly damaged. The left, front section of the base is broken off, rendering one-half of the line of inscription unreadable.
    MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view
    CAPTION Overseer of Weavers, Min, ca. 1479–1425 B.C.E. Green siltstone or greywacke, 9 1/4 × 4 1/2 × 6 in., 14 lb. (23.5 × 11.4 × 15.2 cm, 6.35kg). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 37.249E. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: , 37.249E_PS9.jpg)
    IMAGE overall, 37.249E_PS9.jpg., 2018
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    RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY
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