Exceptional Wood Figure of Hetep
This polyresin, hand-painted contempo represents an Egyptian figure of a lady. The masterful finish gives this piece quiet power, forging a rare and striking connection to its ancient source.
The original, wooden figure is from the Middle Kingdom of Egypt ca. 1900 B.C. - 1800 B.C and contains many precious materials: inlaid eyes composed of alabaster and obsidian framed in copper from later time periods. In the base of the original lies a black-painted hieroglyphic inscription, "An invocation of bread and beer, oxen and fowl, for the Ka of ...hetep, justified.”
This type of statue served as a surrogate for the deceased and could receive offerings, holding the dead’s ka, which was was considered an aspect of the personality or life force of an individual that lived on after death. They were typically placed either in an offering chapel or a tomb, or even inside a coffin, a practice that began in the late Old Kingdom.
Superbly sculpted and depicted standing with her feet together, the separately made arms at her side are pinned in place with wood dowels. She has long delicate fingers and is wearing a tightly fitted sheath dress, revealing the form of her body beneath, with straps covering her breasts. Her wrists and legs are ornamented with elaborate bracelets and anklets. She has a slender nose on a triangular face, a slightly smiling mouth and a pointed chin, with a voluminous, striated, tripartite wig.
This polyresin, hand-painted contempo represents an Egyptian figure of a lady. The masterful finish gives this piece quiet power, forging a rare and striking connection to its ancient source.
The original, wooden figure is from the Middle Kingdom of Egypt ca. 1900 B.C. - 1800 B.C and contains many precious materials: inlaid eyes composed of alabaster and obsidian framed in copper from later time periods. In the base of the original lies a black-painted hieroglyphic inscription, "An invocation of bread and beer, oxen and fowl, for the Ka of ...hetep, justified.”
This type of statue served as a surrogate for the deceased and could receive offerings, holding the dead’s ka, which was was considered an aspect of the personality or life force of an individual that lived on after death. They were typically placed either in an offering chapel or a tomb, or even inside a coffin, a practice that began in the late Old Kingdom.
Superbly sculpted and depicted standing with her feet together, the separately made arms at her side are pinned in place with wood dowels. She has long delicate fingers and is wearing a tightly fitted sheath dress, revealing the form of her body beneath, with straps covering her breasts. Her wrists and legs are ornamented with elaborate bracelets and anklets. She has a slender nose on a triangular face, a slightly smiling mouth and a pointed chin, with a voluminous, striated, tripartite wig.
This polyresin, hand-painted contempo represents an Egyptian figure of a lady. The masterful finish gives this piece quiet power, forging a rare and striking connection to its ancient source.
The original, wooden figure is from the Middle Kingdom of Egypt ca. 1900 B.C. - 1800 B.C and contains many precious materials: inlaid eyes composed of alabaster and obsidian framed in copper from later time periods. In the base of the original lies a black-painted hieroglyphic inscription, "An invocation of bread and beer, oxen and fowl, for the Ka of ...hetep, justified.”
This type of statue served as a surrogate for the deceased and could receive offerings, holding the dead’s ka, which was was considered an aspect of the personality or life force of an individual that lived on after death. They were typically placed either in an offering chapel or a tomb, or even inside a coffin, a practice that began in the late Old Kingdom.
Superbly sculpted and depicted standing with her feet together, the separately made arms at her side are pinned in place with wood dowels. She has long delicate fingers and is wearing a tightly fitted sheath dress, revealing the form of her body beneath, with straps covering her breasts. Her wrists and legs are ornamented with elaborate bracelets and anklets. She has a slender nose on a triangular face, a slightly smiling mouth and a pointed chin, with a voluminous, striated, tripartite wig.
Original Ancient
Middle Kingdom of Egypt ca. 1900 B.C. - 1800 B.C
Painted Wood, alabaster, obsidian, copper
H: 27 cm (10.7)
Contempo
2025
Polyresin, Hand-Painted
H: 27 cm (10.7)