Statuette of a Woman

Made from the wood from a sycamore fig tree, this painted statuette of a woman dates from the 18th Dynasty, c. 1427-1353 B.C.

The woman depicted wears a beautiful linen white gown that is sleeveless on one side. This style of fashion was seemingly popular among the elite and royalty of the time, as we have seen such style depicted on statues of nobles to queen Nefertiti herself.

Despite age to the wood, the detail that went into the paintwork is still very noticeable. We can see the black lines indicating thick kohl decorating the eyes, as well as nostrils. Her mouth is also painted with seemingly ochre colour as well as what appears to be lines on her neck, an attempt of realism that was also popular during the time period.

The woman is wearing hooped earrings and a black wig that is styled with ties, two sections of her hair tied and cascading over her bust, as well as a larger section of hair tied and hanging down to the small of her back. Such a style was popular in the Middle Kingdom and was usually associated with Hathor. She holds a lotus blossom in one hand as the other hand falls free beside her hip and thigh.

The woman is in what Egyptologists deem a “striding pose”, indicating movement and walking forward.

Summary:

Painted figure of a woman made from wood of a Sycamore Fig Tree (Ficus Sycomorus)
New Kingdom, 18th Dynasty, c. 1427-1353 B.C.
Province Unknown.
Musée du Louvre. N 1578