Statuette of a Female Acrobat

Statuette of a Female Acrobat

By placing a sculpture of an acrobat in his tomb, Sa-Inher declared that he had sufficient wealth to enjoy such diversions throughout eternity. This acrobat is portrayed performing a backbend. The figure’s head was missing when the tomb was excavated; most likely it was broken by grave robbers. The red lines on the woman’s body represent a network of beads or body paint.

MEDIUM Limestone

•Place Excavated: Tomb D303, Abydos

DATES ca. 1938-1630 B.C.E.

DYNASTY XII Dynasty-early XIII Dynasty

PERIOD Middle Kingdom

DIMENSIONS 4 × 2 × 7 in. (10.2 × 5.1 × 17.8 cm)

https://www.brooklynmuseum.org/opencollection/objects/3083

Limestone statuette, in the round, of nude female dancer performing a funerary dance (the Khetebt). Body bent backward. Face up, with hair touching base, body supported by arms which rest on oblong uninscribed base. Traces of red paint on body. Condition: Entire head missing from top of neck to lower part of hair. Body has been assembled and there are minor chips on arms. Mediocre workmanship. Red lines on body apparently indicate a bead network. Traces of black paint at base of hair indicate that it was painted black.