Figurines from the MFA, Boston
Minute Clay Figurine (Inv. No. E13109)
Description:
This very small figurine (2.8 x 1.9 cm) can easily roll around in the cupped palm of the average human hand and is easily manipulated with the thumb and one fingertip. The head technology is impossible to identify due to the damaged neck. The pose is ambiguous and might have been understood as seated and leaning back or standing and leaning slightly forward.
Location:
Unknown, but possibly from Qurta, Cemetery 118, Grave 241.
This grave was plundered and no body was found. On the NE side of the grave were: 1 necked jar, 1 polished incised cup, the lower part of a jar or situla with a red wash, and 2 red-polished black-topped bowls. A “minute clay doll” was found in the debris outside the grave along with 1 copper fishhook, 1 mother-of-pearl hair ring, beads of shell, carnelian, and green glaze, 1 ivory bracelet, and some shell finger rings.
Bibliography:
Possibly from Firth (1927): 140-151
Head of Clay Figurine (Eg. Inv. 13110)
Description:
This figurine head (2.3 cm) was modeled as part of the figurine body.
Location:
Found inside the superstructure of Grave 66 at Koshtamna Cemetery 87
The superstructure was half-intact and the burial shaft contained the skeleton of a child (identified as female in the report), contracted on right side, head toward local E. The figurine head was found with a cache of 9 other clay figurines, inside the superstructure in a separate burial above the body of the child. Objects found with the body inside the burial shaft included: 1 kilt of colored beadwork (on body), 1 necklace of white shell beads, 3 shell bracelets (2 on right arm, 1 on left), 1 cosmetic shell. E of superstructure was 1 red-polished black-topped bowl.
Bibliography:
Firth (1912): 170 (No. 66), Pl. 39
Head of Clay Figurine (Inv. No. E19.1574)
Description:
This figurine head (2.4 x 2.6 x 2.2 cm) was modeled with a cavity in the base, presumably for attaching to a clay body or other object. The cavity is smooth around the inner walls but is not very deep and appears as if the tip of the neck of the body that was attached to it has broken off inside it.
Location:
Unknown location from the Archaeological Survey of Nubia
Bibliography:
Unpublished
Lower Body of Clay Figurine (Inv. No. E19.1575)
Description:
This medium-sized figurine lower body fragment (7 x 3.3 x 3.5 cm) sits comfortably across the palm of an adult human hand and, if complete, could have been held and manipulated with the thumb and fingers. Although broken off at the waist, the angle of the arched back indicates that the original pose was ambiguous and might have been understood as seated and leaning back or standing and leaning slightly forward.
Location:
Found in the debris outside Grave 24 at Dakka Cemetery 101.
This burial had been plundered and the body was not present. Also found in the debris were: small bowls and pots, 1 red-polished black-topped bowl, some black polished incised bowls, and small model necked jars with incised patterns.
Bibliography:
Firth (1915): 115, 176, Pl. 37.D.1
Lower Body of Figurine (Eg. Inv. 13105)
Description:
This large figurine lower body fragment (10 x 3.8 x 4.1 cm) can be gripped comfortably in an adult hand and, if complete, could have been held in one hand and manipulated with the thumb and fingers. The surviving foot is spread out for support and in its original condition the figurine would likely have been able to maintain a standing position unaided. The surviving upper body leans forward slightly.
Location:
Unknown location from the Archaeological Survey of Nubia
Bibliography:
Unpublished
Cited:
Firth, C. M. The Archaeological Survey of Nubia: Report for 1908-1909. Cairo:
Government Press, 1912.
_______. The Archaeological Survey of Nubia: Report for 1909-1010. Cairo: Government Press, 1915.
_______. The Archaeological Survey of Nubia: Report for 1910-1911. Cairo: Government Press, 1927.