Not currently on display at the V&A

Figure

4th or 5th century (made)
Artist/Maker
Unknown
Place of origin
Egypt (made)

This Coptic figure representing a dancing woman holding a basket (?) was probably made between the 4th and 5th century. The carved figures like this have been found in considerable numbers in Egypt, especially near old Cairo. They are probably fertility amulets.


Object details

Categories
Sculpture
Africa
Object type
Figure
Materials and techniques
Bone
Brief description
Figure, a dancer. Bone. Coptic 4th or 5th century.
Physical description
Panel carved in bone with a figure of a draped woman dancing, holding a basket in her left hand, her right hand over her head.
Dimensions
  • Height: 16.5cm
Style
Coptic (Period)
Subjects depicted
Woman
Basket
Summary
This Coptic figure representing a dancing woman holding a basket (?) was probably made between the 4th and 5th century. The carved figures like this have been found in considerable numbers in Egypt, especially near old Cairo. They are probably fertility amulets.
Bibliographic references
  • Longhurst, Margaret H. Catalogue of Carvings in Ivory. London: Published under the Authority of the Board of Education, 1927. Part I. p. 22.
  • Beckwith, J. G. Coptic Sculpture: 300-1300. London, Tiranri, 1963. p. 12. fig. 26.
  • Strzygowski, Josef. Koptische Kunst. Vienne, 1904. p. 201.
  • Woolley. Proceedings of the Society of Biblical Archaeology. June, 1907. pp. 218 ff.
  • Wulff, O. ed. Königliche Museen zu Berlin. Beschreibung der Bildwerke der christlichen Epochen. Dritter Band. Altchristliche und Mittelalterliche Byzantinische und Italienische Bildwerke. Teil 1: Altchristliche Bildwerke. Berlin, 1909. p. 131. pl. XXII. 530.
Collection
Sculpture Collection
Accession number
A.14-1925

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Record createdJune 24, 2009
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O313124/figure-unknown/
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