Old Kingdom Figure of a Man

This statue of a man dating from the Late 5th Dynasty-Early 6th Dynasty, c. 2430-2195 B.C., is made of limestone and pigment of black and red still remains quite prominently upon the piece.

Despite the lack of titles, the piece is clearly of the Old Kingdom style; rigid form, layered spiral-style cropped wig, a pleated linen kilt (shendyt), striding forth in bare feet, while clenched hands hold seals. His face, with striking black brows, and dark large almond eyes, lined by kohl stare directly ahead. His nose is long and thin, his mouth has an almost tender sulking downturned appearance.

It could be so that he would have been depicted with a moustache, such was the style of many statues of the time period, however, it could also just be the remnants of the now faded pigment above the mouth. The style of the face seem more of a traditional Old Kingdom style than a direct resemblance to somebody specific, but it would be impossible to know for certain.

Once belonging to Henry Salt, it became property of the Louvre in 1826.