Statue of Metjetji, Old Kingdom

Nikola Benin, Ph,D

Let's look in detail at the exquisite wooden statue from the Old Kingdom held in the Brooklyn Museum. 

The statue is one of a number of ka statues meant to represent the deceased. It shows Metjetji in a typically modified striding pose with the left foot forward which is typical of ancient Egyptian art. As is common with these quasi-contraposto compositions, the left foot had been detached, possibly due to structural weakness.

Although the piece is an idealised portrayal, it also includes personalised details which inform us about the owner and their life.

Metjetji was a high official who lived during the reign of 5th Dynasty king Wenis (Unas).

In this portrayal, he wears a short wig, and is clean-shaven, although moustaches (eg prince Nefermaat) and small beards were also worn during this period. Elsewhere in his tomb he was portrayed with a longer wig and a small beard (see links to other collections below).

Like most people, Metjetji most likely wore a number of different hairstyles and attire during his life. An example of different attire can be seen in the smallest of the three statues in the Brooklyn Museum which shows Metjetji with a shaved head and a long white linen kilt suggestive of priestly or ceremonial duties.

As evidence of his status, he wears two broad collars one of which is unfastened -  its ends hang down either side of his chest. He is also wearing a short kilt which is decorated by a beaded apron.

This statue would have been interred in the owner's tomb and its functions could include receiving offerings of sustenance on behalf of the deceased or serve as an abode for the soul should the owner's mummy be damaged or destroyed.

A number of ka statues for this man have been found, which suggests he was an individual of importance - having the means to have multiple images of good quality commissioned or gifted to him for his burial. In some instances tomb owners record the gifting of tomb architecture by the king himself as evidence of their importance in Egyptian society, thereby proving they were worthy to receive cultic offerings.