Old Kingdom

1
Old Kingdom
(about 2686-2181 BC)
2
Rahotep and Nofret (Beginning Dynasty 4)
These two separate statues form a unit with the
prince, probably a son of King Sneferu, and his
wife. The convention was to paint a man's body
darker than woman's skin. Both figures have
inlaid eyes and Nofret wears a long sheath dress
with a mantle, a wide necklace with concentric
rings, and a wig with a headband of rosette
designs.
3
The dwarf Seneb and his family
The ancient Egyptians knew two types of dwarfs
Those with pathological deformities were
entertainers for their masters, trained to be
goldsmiths or were entrusted with the royal
wardrobe and care of animals. The other type were
the African pygmies who were usually employed in
temples as " dancers before the gods ". The whole
composition was successfully executed to show the
happy family together. Two of the children
substitute the legs of their father. They are
executed in accordance with the established
iconography for infants hair hanging on one
side, nude bodies, with a finger pointing to the
mouth.
4
Inlaid casked for linen, wood, ivory, faience
5
FIGURINE OF A FEMALE BREWER
Servant figures at work were usually depicted in
relief but this particular example gains its
importance from being executed in the round. The
earliest limestone statues belonged to the 4th
Dynasty but the majority belongs to the 5th
Dynasty. Private funerary statuary is enriched by
the inclusion of figures belonging to the milieu
of the master's household which will thus
continue to contribute their daily services in
the netherworld.
6
Menkaure
Mankaure and his wife, Whameremebty II
7
Khufu
The Pyramid of Khufu.