Statuette of Wah
Unknown Artist
ca. 1981–1975 B.C.
Medium
Cedar, plaster, paint, linen
Dimensions
h. 32.2 cm (12 11/16 in); w. 6.6 cm (2 5/8 in); l. 17 cm (6 11/16 in)
Classification
Statuette, standing man, Wah
Period
Middle Kingdom
Department
Egyptian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Rogers Fund and Edward S. Harkness Gift, 1920
Accession Number
20.3.210
Tags
Art Historical Context
This charming wooden statuette, created around 1981–1975 B.C. during Egypt’s Middle Kingdom, depicts a man named Wah. Standing just over twelve inches tall, the figure was crafted from cedar—an imported wood valued for its durability—and finished with plaster, paint, and linen. Such statuettes were commonly placed in tombs to serve as eternal substitutes for the deceased, ensuring their spirit could continue daily activities in the afterlife. Belonging to Dynasty 12, a period of renewed political stability and artistic refinement, the piece reflects the era’s emphasis on personal commemoratio...