Man squatting with head resting on his hands on his knees

Man squatting with head resting on his hands on his knees

Period: Ptolemaic Period

Date: 332–30 B.C.

Geography: From Egypt

Medium: Leaded bronze

Dimensions: H. 5.2 × W. 2.7 × D. 3.1 cm (2 1/16 × 1 1/16 × 1 1/4 in.)

Credit Line: Purchase, Edward S. Harkness Gift, 1926

Accession Number: 26.7.1411

http://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/551345

Description

This statuette belongs to a late type from Egypt seen in limestone or bronze depicting a nude individual resting with his hands and head on one or both knees. One interpretation connects these with mourners depicted in earlier tomb reliefs. There are also small faience figures from Rhodes sometimes termed 'temple boys'' that are related in pose, as well as Hellenistic statuettes of 'Ethiopians' apparently representing crouching and waiting servants.

This figure's large head, haggard features and fatigue are notable; a servant is probably intended, but the meaning of his fatigue or dejection is not clear to us.