Statuette of a Late Middle Kingdom Queen

Art Historical Context

This elegant statuette, carved from schist around 1825–1750 B.C., portrays a queen from the close of Egypt’s Middle Kingdom, spanning the end of Dynasty 12 into the early years of Dynasty 13. Standing just over six inches tall, the compact figure captures the poised dignity expected of royal women during a period when Egypt enjoyed renewed political stability and artistic refinement after earlier times of division. In the Middle Kingdom, queens often played vital roles as partners in divine kingship, their images placed in temples or tombs to ensure protection and continuity for the royal line. The choice of schist—a hard, fine-grained stone prized by Egyptian sculptors—allowed for smooth surfaces and subtle modeling that conveyed both strength and grace. Though the artist remains unknown, the work reflects the era’s emphasis on idealized royal features and balanced proportions. Acquired by the Metropolitan Museum through the Rogers Fund in 1965, the piece offers visitors a rare glimpse into the private devotional world of ancient Egyptian royalty. Its modest scale suggests it may once have formed part of a larger group or served as a personal votive object, underscoring the enduring cultural importance of queens in sustaining ma’at, the cosmic order central to Egyptian belief.