Figure of a Woman & Child

This delicate Middle Kingdom limestone figurine (E 8000), dating from approximately 2035–1680 B.C., depicts a nude woman standing with truncated legs, wearing a tripartite wig, a cowrie shell belt, and a broad necklace, while tenderly carrying a small child. The figure’s soft curves, subtle modelling, and the inclusion of symbolic jewellery;particularly the cowrie shell belt, associated with fertility and protection, suggest its role as a votive object or an offering dedicated to the deity. It measures at H. 14.6 cm; W. 4.3 cm; D. 2.7 cm.

The offering formula inscribed in hieroglyphs mentions the names Tita, the mother, and Khonsu, the god of the moon and protector of children, highlighting its devotional purpose.

The figurine is painted with traces of white and black pigments, lending life to its graceful form, and its intimate subject matter suggests a deeply personal act of piety, perhaps intended to invoke divine favour for a safe childbirth or the well-being of the family.

In Ancient Egypt, cowrie shells were not merely decorative; they symbolised fertility, protection, and the continuity of life. Their natural shape, resembling the female anatomy, connected them to birth and regeneration, making them potent amulets in both daily life and religious contexts. Cowrie shell belts were often worn by women, especially during pregnancy, as charms to safeguard both mother and child.

The presence of such a belt on this Middle Kingdom figurine suggests its role as a fertility symbol, likely created as a votive offering to invoke divine protection. Possibly in the hope of a safe childbirth or the health of offspring. The depiction of the woman holding a child, combined with an offering formula mentioning the god Khonsu, reinforces the idea that this figurine was dedicated and/or placed within a temple or shrine, perhaps left by a devotee seeking favour from the gods.

Discovered and acquired in the late 19th century by Eugène Allemant, this piece now resides in the Musée du Louvre, offering a glimpse into the personal devotions and artistic sensibilities of Egypt’s Middle Kingdom.

Summary:

Limestone figure of a woman & child, with offering formula inscription

Middle Kingdom, c. 2035-1680 B.C.

Provenance Unknown. Acquired in the late 19th century by Eugène Allemant. Musée du Louvre. E 8000