Wood Artifacts
of
Ancient Egypt

Despite the fact that much of the wood used in ancient Egypt had to be imported, its very dry climate caused materials, such as wood, to survive in numbers not usually found elsewhere in the ancient world. Wood carvings were mostly used for ritual or funerary purposes.

Wood Mummy Mask Ptolemaic Period

Ptolemaic Period (305 - 30 BC). Angular and simplistic well carved facial features. The expression is serene. There are subtle traces of original brown paint detailing the eyes, nose and mouth over the beige colored gesso surface. Length 9 inches

Wood Mummy Mask Circa 600 B.C. SOLD

Horus (Harpocrates) Wood-carved Statue Lower Delta Region This statue is of the god Horus (known to the Greeks as Harpocrates) as a young boy. Horus was the son of Osiris and Isis and was revered as the protector of Pharoah. He epitomized the concept of good over evil to the Egyptians because he saved his father, Osiris, from death at the hand of Seth. This beautiful, unique carving was once gilded in gold, as remnants till exist on the face.A hole remains where his sidelock of hair would be. It was possibly attached as a separate piece of gold, but has since fallen off.

Except for some cracking in the top of the head it is in remarkable condition. This is a rare wooden statue of an important god of ancient Egypt. It is mounted on a wood display stand and measures approximately 5 1/2 in. in height.

Egyptian Tomb Servant Boat Rower - Middle Kingdom The Egyptians believed that large groups of these manufactured wood dolls would come to life at the command of Osiris and do the required work of the deceased (see Ushabti). Depending on one's means, a tomb could contain hundreds of these different figures to carry out one's bidding. This example here is a servant of the Afterlife who existed as a boat rower and wears the usual black wig. The missing arms are customary for this type of artifact. There is some splitting of wood, and left leg has repair. Typically this type of tomb carving is seen during the Middle Kingdom. 2050 - 1786 BC. Approximately 5 3/4" tall without the stand.

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