Artwork
Female Figure
DepartmentAncient Mediterranean Art
CultureEgyptian
Dateca. 2065-1650 B.C.
Dimensions4 15/16 × 1 11/16 in. (12.6 × 4.3 cm)
Credit LineGift of Chris Karcher and Karen Keach
Object number2021.25.1
GeographyPlace madeEgypt
General regionAfrica
DescriptionFemale figure with a narrow chest and waist and wide hips. Her elongated hands are pressed flat against the outside of her thighs. The figure was deliberately fashioned with abbreviated legs, lacking the lower legs and feet. Her hairstyle consists of a long lock at either side of the face and a single lock at the back of the head. Traces of black pigment remain on the eyes and hair.Label TextGroup label with 2021.25.2:
Female figures like these reflect both the importance of having children to the ancient Egyptians and their awareness of the risks to mother and child during pregnancy and childbirth. Such figures have been found in household shrines as well as tombs and temples. They probably served as votive offerings accompanying prayers for successful conception and pregnancy and in thanksgiving after a safe delivery. The figures wear elaborate hairstyles fashionable for young women in the Middle and New Kingdoms, respectively.
(J. Powers, 2016)Provenancewith Keith C. Seele (1898-1971), Chicago, probably acquired in Egypt between 1929-1936; by inheritance to his wife, Diederika Millard Seele (1896-1992), 1971; sold by Diederika Seele to Charles C. Van Siclen III (1944-2023), San Antonio, 1977/1978; sold by Charles C. Van Siclen, III, to Chris Karcher and Karen Keach, San Antonio, 2006; Chris Karcher and Karen Keach, by gift to the San Antonio Museum of Art, 2021Exhibition History"Mummies, Myths and Magic," Witte Museum, San Antonio, Sept. 22, 1989-Apr. 8, 1990Egyptian gallery, Witte Museum, San Antonio, 1990-2014.
Egyptian galleries, San Antonio Museum of Art, 2014-2021.
Published ReferencesC. C. Van Siclen, III, “An Illustrated Checklist for Mummies, Myths and Magic,” Varia Aegyptiaca 6 (San Antonio, 1990), p. 59, no. 1, fig. 35.
On view
Collections
possibly 18th or 19th century, after Hellenistic and Roman statues of the 2nd century B.C.-2nd century A.D.
The San Antonio Museum of Art is in the process of digitizing its permanent collection. This electronic record was created from historic documentation that does not necessarily reflect SAMA's complete or current knowledge about the object. Review and updating of such records is ongoing.
This resource has been made possible in part by the National Endowment for the Humanities: Exploring the Human Endeavor.
