Wooden figurine of a naked female with a lioness’ face
The figurine holds a bronze serpent in each hand, inserted through a hole in her fist; these serpents can be removed. The arms were made separately and are attached to her body with wooden dowels and are easy to move. There is also a small hole in the top of her forehead, perhaps for another attachment. There are traces of yellow paint on the body and black paint on the hair or wig. The base has been reshaped in antiquity suggesting that the figurine was used.
This figure represents a female Aha or Bes, or someone in the role of this goddess, associated with protecting women and childbirth. The figurine was found in the debris in a tomb shaft under the Ramesseum (Tomb 5 - ‘The Magician’s Tomb’).
Middle Kingdom, ca. 1773-1650 BC. Photo via Paul Cliff. Acc. no. 1790
