Paddle Doll
Unknown Artist
ca. 2030–1981 B.C.
Medium
Wood, linen string, paint
Dimensions
Body: H. 21.1 × W. 6.2 × Th. 0.8 cm (8 5/16 × 2 7/16 × 5/16 in.)
Classification
Paddle doll
Period
Middle Kingdom
Department
Egyptian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Rogers Fund, 1931
Accession Number
31.3.37a, b
Art Historical Context
### Paddle Doll Step into the vibrant world of Egypt's Middle Kingdom with this enchanting *Paddle Doll*, crafted by an unknown artist around 2030–1981 B.C. during Dynasty 11. Measuring a delicate 8⅜ inches tall, this wooden figure—adorned with paint and string—exemplifies period's refined craftsmanship. The Middle Kingdom (ca. 2050–1710 B.C.) marked a cultural renaissance after years of unrest, with art emphasizing harmony, realism, and everyday life alongside the divine. Paddle dolls, named for their flat, paddle-like bodies, were intimate tomb offerings, often depicting women with stylize...