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Statuette of a Girl

Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

On View: Egyptian Orientation Gallery, 3rd Floor
To ancient Egyptians, this miniature representation of a nude young girl would have had erotic appeal in ways that may elude us now. Her heavy wig alludes to the Egyptian practice of wearing an elaborate coiffure during sex. Although this figure’s original function is not clear, the loop on the top of the head implies that it was suspended from a cord.
MEDIUM Ivory, pigment
  • Place Made: Egypt
  • DATES ca. 1390–1353 B.C.E.
    DYNASTY Dynasty 18
    PERIOD New Kingdom
    DIMENSIONS 3 1/4 x 5/8 in. (8.3 x 1.6 cm)  (show scale)
    ACCESSION NUMBER 40.126.2
    CREDIT LINE Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund
    CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Small painted ivory statuette of a nude standing girl, wearing elaborately braided wig; suspension loop on the top of wig. Left arm held under breasts. Hair painted black; minute traces of red pigment on body. Condition: Practically perfect. Necklace missing. Two minute holes just above pelvis suggest figure may have worn a belt or girdle.
    MUSEUM LOCATION This item is on view in Egyptian Orientation Gallery, 3rd Floor
    CAPTION Statuette of a Girl, ca. 1390–1353 B.C.E. Ivory, pigment, 3 1/4 x 5/8 in. (8.3 x 1.6 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 40.126.2. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 40.126.2_SL1.jpg)
    IMAGE overall, 40.126.2_SL1.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
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    RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY
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