**Originally Listed At $1200**

Egypt, Coptic, ca. 395 to 641 CE. A stylized depiction of a female figure carved from a single piece of wood with incised details (almond-shaped eyes with pierced pupils, arched brows, a straight nose, slit mouth, nipples, navel, and pubic triangle) with an overall minimalist rendering of the body comprised of shoulders or perhaps attenuated arms emerging just below the head, and angular hips. Although the exact purpose of such dolls is not fully understood, the most obvious conclusion is that they were toys for children. This said, not all dolls and figurines created in antiquity were meant to be children's toys. Many votive dolls with more schematic depictions of the figures were offered at shrines or used in fertility rituals, as they were believed to bring about conception and assist during childbirth. Size: 1.625" W x 7" H (4.1 cm x 17.8 cm); 7.75" H (19.7 cm) on included custom stand.

Provenance: private New York, New York, USA collection, acquired in 2010 on the Paris art market; ex-private French collection

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#123475

A few old scratches/nicks, otherwise intact with marvelous age wear and patina.