CIRCA 3RD CENTURY A.D.

Details

A COPTIC IVORY DOLL
CIRCA 3RD CENTURY A.D.
The steatopygous figure pierced through the head (probably for hair), twice through the ears, and at each shoulder for attachable arms, with incised facial features and accentuated pubic triangle, the legs tapering below the knees, mounted
4¼ in. (10.9 cm.) high

Special notice

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Lot Essay

These figures are now generally accepted as being dolls which is supported by the finds at Wasit which were thought to be the contents of a toy shop (Fuad, Wasit, The Sixth Season's Excavations, Cairo, 1945, pp. 36-37, pls XVIII-XXI). There is evidence that some of these figures had wigs attached and would have been dressed. This form of doll continues into the early Islamic period.

A copy of a radiocarbon dating test accompanies this lot.

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