1978.44.3 (Figurine)

1978.44.3 (Figurine) image

This figurine depicts a man of low social and economic standing who once would have served as a boatman in Egyptian society. These boatmen would often push small watercraft through city waterways or along the more shallow portions of the Nile River in order to transport goods or people from one place to another. Most often, this role would have been performed by either a very poor foreign laborer or slave. The arms of this piece were once broken off either by accident or deliberately. This damage occurred so long ago that it has been mended in its authentic culture. The right arm of the figure has been repainted over in the same paint as the rest of the figurine, indicating that the work was done by an indigenous artisan. The figure's left arm shows prominent cockroach damage, which would not appear in any forgeries. This indicates that the piece is indeed culturally authentic and most likely originates from either the late Middle Kingdom or New Kingdom periods of Egyptian history.

In a religious sense, figurines of boatmen such as this one were often created as funerary adornments to help the deceased pass into the afterlife. This particular figurine would originally have been placed on a solar barge to deliver the deceased into the care of the Sun deity Ra, who served as the patriarch of the Ancient Egyptian religious pantheon. With this in mind, this piece can be seen as being representative of both the practical and religious values of Ancient Egyptian civilization.

The bottom of the figure has been attached to a wooden base by an unknown modern owner with a combination of beeswax and heated glue. The beeswax was likely applied to prevent the glue from seeping in and damaging the authentic wood of the piece, but this is no longer recommended museum procedure for mounting objects. According to David Depuma from the University of Iowa, the prominent thick lips and facial features of the figurine indicate that it depicts a Nubian male. This suggests that the piece may originate from a time when Nubia, then known as Kush, was under the cultural or political control of the Egyptian dynasties.

The figure has been inscribed on the back above its feet with the code: "CY97".

The figure consists primarily of pink, white, brown, and black paint applied over a wooden construction.

Purchase: 
Gift: 
Found in Collection: 
Institution: 
Institution

All Images of This Object

1978.44.3 (Figurine) image
1978.44.3 (Figurine) image
1978.44.3 (Figurine) image
1978.44.3 (Figurine) image