The wooden figures, sourced from tombs within Egypt's Valley of the Kings and now held in the British Museum, provide key insights into ancient Egyptian tomb furnishings deployed in the rituals related to death and the afterlife. This collection consists of various wood-crafted figures, some with remnants of original paint work, indicating a high level of craftsmanship of the era.
The figures, ranging in size from 10cm to 40cm, straddle a stylistic balance of simplicity and realism, designed to depict various individuals and professions, such as servants, bakers, porters, and boatmen. A common stylistic trait of this period is seen in the anatomy of the figures, characterized by elongated and angular features, with detailed eyes and mouths.
Each figure held a designated purpose in the afterlife. Some figures may have held hold miniature tools, indicative of their intended role in the afterlife, representing the emphasis placed by ancient Egyptians on the soul's eternal journey.
The figures were discovered in royal tombs dating between the New Kingdom (ca. 1550-1070 BCE) and the Third Intermediate Period (ca. 1070-664 BCE). The stylistic diversity seen in the collection suggests the evolution of artistic trends across different periods, further facilitating understanding of ancient Egyptian socio-cultural dynamics.
Moreover, these figures illustrate the ancient Egyptian beliefs in the afterlife and their complex funerary practices. The preservation of these figures is in line with the Egyptian tradition of careful mummification and tomb sealing, believed to facilitate the comfort and wellbeing of the soul in the afterlife.
