Standing female
figurines were made throughout the Predynastic Period in Egypt and are
typically found in the graves of women. This is an abbreviated style figurine
with the defining characteristic of the lower body coming to a rounded point or
“peg.” The legs are undifferentiated and end with a point so the figure could
be stood in the ground or held in the hand. Alternatively, the piece could have been worn as a
hairpin. The narrow waist and wide hips are traditional in these figurines. Below the waist a depression indicates the navel. The pubic triangle is indicated by a horizontal incision over a v-shaped incision. The chest is decorated with two incised holes, probably indicating the breasts (but possibly part of a necklace). The oval head was originally framed by projecting ears, but the right one has broken off) The face is formed by a projecting nose and large hollow eyes under incised arched brows. Originally the eyes and brows were filled with a black paste. A deep conical hole on the top of the head may have been for the attachment of a wig. The left side of the body and bottom have been broken off. The piece also has been broken at the waist and knees and repaired.