Model of a house

Art Historical Context

Step into ancient Egypt with this captivating pottery model of a house crafted around 1750–1700 B.C. during the Middle Kingdom's Dynasty 13. Measuring a compact 27 x 27 x 17 cm, this miniature replica offers a glimpse into everyday domestic architecture of the time, complete with detailed features that evoke the mud-brick homes of the Nile Valley. Donated to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1907 by the Egyptian Research Account and British School of Archaeology in Egypt, it now resides in the Egyptian Art department. These house models were more than mere toys; they held profound cultural significance in funerary practices. Placed in tombs, they symbolized the deceased's eternal home in the afterlife, ensuring comfort and continuity for the spirit (ka). The use of pottery—a durable, accessible medium fired from Nile clay—highlights the practical artistry of Middle Kingdom craftsmen, who hand-built these forms to capture realistic proportions and structural elements like flat roofs and doorways. This artifact bridges us to a turbulent yet innovative era, when Egypt navigated political fragmentation while preserving traditions of communal life. Marvel at how such a small object encapsulates the ancient Egyptians' belief in an enduring domestic afterlife!