Egyptian statue / figure - replica of a scribe - 18th dynasty sculpture - reign of Amenhotep III

Scribe statue

Dimensions :-
Total height -9 cm / 3-1/2 inches
Base 4 x 5 cm - 1-1/2 x 2 inches


Made of a limestone and quartzite composition stone, this replica statue has a well developed aged black / slate grey coloration that gives the scribe a look of antiquity. Of 18th dynasty date, the boyish features present on this statue are typical of the facial styles in use during the reign of Amenhotep III.



* Combined postage welcome.


Background information - The scribe statue form became popular during Egypt's old kingdom as scribes became relatively well paid members of Egyptian society & could afford to commission a statue of themselves so they could be immortalized. This tradition continued for the majority of Egypt's great expanse of history.

The scribe kept accounts of a numerical nature and documents of events, disputes and even laundry lists. They created poetry and stories for the king and his court. The best of these became folklore.
This actual piece is a replica of an original statue now located in the Detroit museum. It is a petite, finely modeled example of a scribe with the unusual style of a raised leg. The papyrus scroll would be rolled out on his taut tunic for a stable surface for writing. You can just see the coiled cylinder of the papyrus roll on the top of the raised knee.
The composition gives the scribe a rather casual look but his head glances down and the back is arched in the pose of active writing.
Although his hand holds no stylus for writing, the hand is positioned as if he is. It was an almost impossible prospect for a sculptor to carve a reed pen on a sculpture of this size. It would have been susceptible snapping off, hence the absence of the very tool of his trade.