Magical Figure
Unknown Artist
ca. 1802–1550 B.C.
Medium
Clay (unfired)
Dimensions
H. 7.2 cm (2 13/16 in.); W. 3.5 cm (1 3/8 in.)
Classification
figure, magical, execration, tablet
Period
Late Middle Kingdom–Second Intermediate Period
Department
Egyptian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Rogers Fund, 1933
Accession Number
33.1.94
Tags
Art Historical Context
Step into the enigmatic world of Egypt with this petite *Magical Figure*, crafted unfired clay around 1802–1550 B.C. during the Late Middle Kingdom to Intermediate Period (Dynasty13–Second Intermediate Period). Standing just 7.2 cm tall and 3.5 cm wide, this unassuming object from the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Egyptian Art collection exemplifies the era's blend of everyday materials and profound spiritual beliefs. The use of raw, unbaked clay was deliberate—such figures were often meant for temporary rituals, dissolving naturally over time, which added to their mystical potency. These smal...