Ancient Egyptian boatman figurine from Deir el Bahari dated 2055 – 1985 BC

Half a wooden figure of a boatman, cleft down the middle, from a tomb model boat group. The figure is in a seated position, with a stylised triangular block representing his legs. His left arm is carved from the same piece as the body, but a space has been cut between it and the side of the chest. The arm follows the curve of the body and leg, and the hand rests on the edge of the lap, just above a hole, which has been cut into the the block, probably to take an oar or to dowel the figure to boat. The figure may have been the first figure of a group of oarsmen, made to fit into the bow. The figure is painted, with a red brown tone for the flesh, white kilt and black wig. Below the white kilt has been painted a red band around the base the figure, perhaps indicating the legs. The hair was depicted in a short bob. There a hole in the base where the figure was probably attached to the boat.

Ancient Egyptian boatman figurine from Deir el Bahari dated 2055 – 1985 BC

Object details

  • Reference: BOLMG:1907.90.3.d
  • Material: wood
  • Culture: Dynasty 11
  • Period: Middle Kingdom
  • Excavator: E. Naville
  • Dated: 2055 - 1985 BC
  • Object name: boatman figurine
  • Dimensions: Length: 128mm , Width: 61mm , Depth: 35mm
  • Published references: Naville E XIth Dynasty Temple at Deir el Bahri 3 1913
  • Site: Deir el Bahari
  • Latitude: 25.738333
  • Longitude: 32.607778