Object Details
Collector
Joseph Hirshhorn
Donor Name
Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden
Notes
WOODEN FIGURE OF A MAN, WEARING SKIRT, BOTH ARMS BROKEN, MOUNTED ON WOODEN STAND. PROVENIENCE UNDOCUMENTED. IDENTIFICATION PROVIDED BY HMSG.
Johns Hopkins University Egyptologist Betsy Bryan interprets: Very important piece. Ka statue. Several areas show finely detailed light engraving or relief. He wears a broad collar with a counterpoise down the back, this was originally gilded. He is wearing a royal kilt, though no uraeus.The bulbous wig-like headdress has recently been identified as possible antecedent to later helmet-like crown. Flecks of gilding that would have covered headdress, collar & necklace, kilt, and sandals.
From NMNH Exhibit Hall "Eternal Life in Ancient Egypt" label for this artifact, 2011: Ka statue, c. 1500 B.C. Egyptians believed ka statues, which depicted the deceased, provided a place for the spirit to reside if the mummy was lost or destroyed.
Record Last Modified
12 Jul 2017
Specimen Count
1
Culture
Ancient Egyptian
Accession Date
28 Aug 1992
Accession Number
370312
USNM Number
A553185-0
Object Type
Figurine
Length - Object
32 cm
Width - Object
9 cm
Depth - Object
9 cm
Place
Not Given, Egypt (not certain), Africa (not certain)
See more items in
Anthropology
Data Source
NMNH - Anthropology Dept.
Topic
Archaeology
Link to Original Record
Record ID
nmnhanthropology_8504001