Wood Standing Figure of a Worker

Culture: Egyptian

Period: Middle Kingdom, 11th-12th dynasty, 2137-1781 B.C.

Material: Wood

Dimensions: 23.6 cm high

Price: Sold

Ref: 1429

Provenance: From the old English private collection H. G. and E. Foxwell, acquired between 1890 and 1920. Since then in a family estate. The Foxwell collection was founded through acquisitions from the William Henry Forman collection, sold with Sotheby, Wilkinson & Hodge on 19 June 1899, as well as on 2 July 1900 and from the Reverend William McGregor collection, sold from 26 June to 6 July 1922 with Sotheby, Wilkinson & Hodge. The present wood figure is from one of these auctions.

Condition: The figure is completely intact, arms belonging. A small break on the left chest, as seen on the picture, otherwise intact with beautifully preserved colors. On the belonging base on the left an ancient break. Wagon wheels possibly also belonging and intact.

Description: Beautifully preserved wood figure of a standing man from the Middle Kingdom. The elegant figure stands on its original ancient wood base. The body of the man is waisted, the separately worked out and movable arms are extra-long. In the right hand he holds a long staff, possibly a tool. The round head with black, short hair, painted, large eyes and a mouth formed to a smile. The legs are closed and only slightly accentuated. The man wears a short, white painted apron. In front of him on the base remains of a small wood tenon. Quite possible that the two wagon wheels which most probably belong to the figure, were mounted there. So maybe this figure represents a worker who builds wagon wheels. One of the wagon wheels is undercoated in white with a painted black, brown axle. The other one with white color remains.