Ancient Egypt, Middle Kingdom, 11th to 13th Dynasty, ca. 2130 to 1650 BCE. A hand-carved wooden male figure, perhaps once a servant figure in a tomb depicting scenes of everyday life in ancient Egypt. The man presents in a striding pose with his forward left leg extending the lower fringe of his shendyt, or kilt, forward as both lengthy arms extend down with fingers almost to his knees. Remains of black and white pigment are visible across the arms and body while white ovals flank the petite nose to form the enlarged eyes. Wooden sculptures like this are incredibly rare in this state of preservation and are fascinating examples illustrating life in ancient Egypt. Size: 2.5" W x 7.25" H (6.4 cm x 18.4 cm); 9.625" H (24.4 cm) on included custom stand.

A stylistically similar example, of a larger size and standing atop a wooden plinth, hammered for GBP 18,750 ($24,711) at Christie's, London, South Kensington "Antiquities" auction (sale 6060, April 14, 2011, lot 23).

Provenance: private New York, New York, USA collection; ex-MacMurray College collection, Jacksonville, Illinois, USA, originally collected by professor Dr. Wallace M. Sterns in the 1930s. He was a member of the Egyptian Exploration fund in 1914.

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#175488

Loss to lower legs as shown. Arms reattached to shoulders with very light adhesive residue within resultant gaps. Chipping and wear to pigment remains, with softening to some raised features on head, and light pitting to top of head, otherwise in excellent condition. Smooth patina and pigment remains across surfaces. Previous inventory label between kilt. Drilled through bottom of proper right leg for mounting and display purposes.