Terracotta Figure of a Concubine

Culture: Egyptian

Period: Middle Kingdom, 12th Dynasty, 1976-1793 B.C.

Material: Terracotta

Dimensions: 9.5 cm high

Price: Sold

Ref: 1302

Provenance: French private collection Pierre, Claud & Jeanine Verité, acquired between 1930 and 1980.

Condition: Legs are missing, the head professionally reattached.

Description: Terracotta statuette of a nude woman with abundant painting. The stylized figure with arms resting on the broad pelvis, round belly and small breasts. She has long hair reaching to her shoulders. The curls depicted in red and black paint. The red eyes are framed by thick black eyeliners. Statuettes like the present one were worked out in ivory, faience, wood and clay and were found in graves of the Middle Kingdom. Originally they were identified as companions of the deceased, as their concubines. Today it is assumed that they were symbolizing female fertility, providing the deceased with new vitality. Mounted.