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Statue of Hori Represented as a Scribe

Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

Fashioned much like a funerary figurine, or shabti, this statuette of a man named Hori features the fastidious braided wig and the loose, flowing, tightly pleated garments found in sculpture of late Dynasty XVIII and especially Dynasty XIX. In his right hand Hori holds a scribal palette, and in his left he clutches either a papyrus roll or a short, stout staff. Interestingly, although the inscription is damaged, enough survives to indicate that Hori was not a scribe.

MEDIUM Faience
  • Possible Place Made: Thebes, Egypt
  • DATES ca. 1295-1185 B.C.E.
    DYNASTY Dynasty 19
    PERIOD New Kingdom
    DIMENSIONS 5 1/4 x 2 5/8 x 1 3/16 in. (13.3 x 6.6 x 3 cm) mount (dimensions as installed): 9 × 2 3/4 × 1 5/8 in. (22.9 × 7 × 4.1 cm)  (show scale)
    ACCESSION NUMBER 37.257E
    CREDIT LINE Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund
    CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Small glazed faience statue of the “Administrator of the House of Amun” names Hori. The figure is glazed white with details given in black. Hori stands (the figure is not preserved from just below the knees down) wearing a long double wig (glazed black), an elaborate tunic with pleated sleeves, and a pleated skirt with stiff triangular apron. Down the front of the apron is a column of text. He holds at his waist, in his left hand, a papyrus roll. He holds a scribes writing equipment against his apron in his right hand. Brows and eyes are glazed black. The brows dip slightly at the root of the nose, and the eyes are long. Condition: Lower part of legs and feet missing; tan incrustation in hollows of pleats and on much of the body.
    MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view
    CAPTION Statue of Hori Represented as a Scribe, ca. 1295-1185 B.C.E. Faience, 5 1/4 x 2 5/8 x 1 3/16 in. (13.3 x 6.6 x 3 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 37.257E. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 37.257E_37.148E_GRPA_glass_bw_SL4.jpg)
    IMAGE overall, 37.257E_37.148E_GRPA_glass_bw_SL4.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
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    RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY
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