Headless Statuette of a Scribe
ca. 1938-1875 B.C.E.
Maker Unknown
Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art
The Egyptians valued literacy even more than physical strength or military prowess. Individuals wishing to immortalize their wisdom and education frequently commissioned statues of themselves as scribes, professional men whose income derived from their great learning rather than physical labor. Images of scribes seated with papyrus rolls in their laps were placed in tombs as early as the Fourth Dynasty (circa 2625–2500 B.C.E.).
- Maker/Artist
- Maker Unknown
- Classification
- Sculpture
- Formatted Medium
- Gneiss
- Medium
- gneiss
- Locations
- Place made: Egypt
- Dynasty
- Dynasty 12
- Period
- Middle Kingdom
- Dimensions
- 6 7/16 x 4 13/16 x 5 9/16 in. (16.4 x 12.3 x 14.2 cm)
- Accession Number
- 73.87.1
- Credit Line
- Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund
- Exhibitions
- Egypt Reborn: Art for Eternity, Ancient Egyptian Art
- Rights Statement
- Creative Commons-BY
- Museum Location
- Egyptian Orientation Gallery, 3rd Floor
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