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Copper alloy figure: E.GA.4378.1943

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Copper alloy figure

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Description

Copper alloy figure of a naked standing female. The figure has moveable arms, inlaid eyes (now missing) and once wore a headdress or crown. The short wig identifies the subject as Nubian.

Copper alloy figure of a naked standing female. The prominent pubic triangle suggests that the figure was associated with fertility. Such representations were found in graves as early as the Middle Kingdom; during the earlier periods such objects were typically made from wood, clay, ivory or bone. A connection to fertility would explain why the subject is naked- this is extremely rare in Egyptian art. This figure has moveable arms, inlaid eyes (now missing) and once wore a headdress or crown, as indicated by the tenon on top of the head. The short wig identifies the subject as Nubian (southern Egypt or Sudan) and the rounded, broad face suggests that the female was African. The figure was hollow cast in several pieces and is in good condition.

Measurements and weight

Height: 21.8 cm

Acquisition and important dates

Method of acquisition: Given (1943) by Gayer-Anderson, Robert Grenville

Dating

25th Dynasty
Circa -0747 - Circa -0656

Components of the work

Pubic Triangle composed of obsidian ( inlay)
Arms
Body

Materials used in production

Copper alloy

References and bibliographic entries

Identification numbers

Accession number: E.GA.4378.1943
Primary reference Number: 58862

Audit data

Created: Saturday 6 August 2011 Updated: Friday 18 July 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) "Copper alloy figure" Web page available at: https://collection.beta.fitz.ms/id/object/58862 Accessed: 2025-12-12 13:33:51

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{{cite web|url=https://collection.beta.fitz.ms/id/object/58862 |title=Copper alloy figure |author=The Fitzwilliam Museum|accessdate=2025-12-12 13:33:51|publisher=The University of Cambridge}}

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