Fertility figure. Clay figures of women lying on beds have been found in domestic, temple and grave sites. They may have been used to ensure fertility or have been used for healing and then ritually broken after use.

The thin shape and the fact that this example wears a perfume cone suggests that it dates to the New Kingdom. Until recently these figures tended to be called 'concubine figures' with their purpose being to provide a sexual partner for the dead man (e.g. Petrie 1927, 9) However, as Pinch (1983) has pointed out such figures occur in female burials, in temples and in houses. Some have suggested that the figure represents a mother goddess. However, Egyptian goddesses are rarely shown nude. The figurines have also been interpreted as dancing girls. Several seem to have been votive offerings to Hathor. Hathor is associated with fertility and the nude nature of the figurines, together with the heavy wigs depicted on a number of them, and the fact that they are shown on beds may also suggest fertility. However, evidence from text suggests that figures like this were used in healing rites. The Egypt Centre has a separate Information Sheet on this item.

Collection

Egypt Centre, University of Swansea

Inventory Number

3543388

Title

Fertility figure. Clay figures of women lying on beds have been found in domestic, temple and grave sites. They may have been used to ensure fertility or have been used for healing and then ritually broken after use.

Object Type

Image

Measurements

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