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Clay model house: E.58.1907

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An image of House
An image of House
Current Location: Exhibition: Exhibition: Made in Ancient Egypt, 3 October 2025 – 12 April 2026 (Adeane Gallery)

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Clay model house

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Description

Clay 'soul house', likely slab-built with additionally elements (stairs, offerings, pillars) shaped by hand and attached. A wooden/plant fibre frame was first constructed, and the clay built around the frame which burnt away in firing. There is a hole visible in the right side of the house, at the height of the first storey, allowing a view through the side of the house. A handprint is also visible on the bottom of the soul house where it was carried following its completion.

'Soul house'. These models provide a dwelling space for the soul of the deceased. It also combines offerings, which can be seen lying on the floor of the lower courtyard. There are stairs on the exterior to allow access to the upper floor.

Legal notes

Given by the British School of Archaeology in Egypt, 1907

Measurements and weight

Depth: 38 cm
Height: 29 cm
Width: 34 cm

Acquisition and important dates

Method of acquisition: Given (1907) by British School of Archaeology in Egypt

Dating

12th Dynasty
Middle Kingdom
-2055 - 1650

Project

  • Egypt

References and bibliographic entries

Related exhibitions

Identification numbers

Accession number: E.58.1907
Primary reference Number: 50994
Old object number: E.P.305
Oldadmincategory: P

Audit data

Created: Saturday 6 August 2011 Updated: Thursday 25 September 2025

Associated departments & institutions

Owner or interested party: The Fitzwilliam Museum
Associated department: Antiquities

Citation for print

This record can be cited in the Harvard Bibliographic style using the text below:

The Fitzwilliam Museum (2025) "Clay model house" Web page available at: https://collection.beta.fitz.ms/id/object/50994 Accessed: 2025-12-05 12:55:09

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{{cite web|url=https://collection.beta.fitz.ms/id/object/50994 |title=Clay model house |author=The Fitzwilliam Museum|accessdate=2025-12-05 12:55:09|publisher=The University of Cambridge}}

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