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This squatting statue represents Paakhref,
son of Harsiese, the overseer of cargo boats of
the Lord of the Two Lands. This type of statue
is also known as "block" or "cubic" statue.
Squatting statues appear from at least the
beginning of the Middle Kingdom (2055-1650 BCE),
as an addition to the repertoire of standing and
seated private statues. These squatting statues
represent an individual sitting on the ground,
as here, or on a low cushion, with the legs bent
up against the body, so that the knees are
approximately at the same level as the
shoulders. The cubic block of these statues
shows more stiffness and allows inscriptions and
representations to be carved more easily on its
surface. These squatting statues were only made
to represent private individuals, and at first
were only situated in tombs. Later, they became
a temple statue, as the pose represents a
position of dignity. This statue type, starting
as a funerary and commemorative offering, served
well as an ex-voto, as the owner could put
himself before the god and thus share in the
offering.
Twenty-sixth Dynasty, 664-525 BCE; graywacke.
Hieght 48 cm (18-7/8 in); width 22 cm (8-11/16
in); depth 32 cm (12-5/8 in). Karnak cachette
(K.364). The Egyptian Museum, Cairo. |