Milk & beef served important functions in ancient Egypt (food, rituals, medicine) & cattle rearing was a popular tomb scene. Less common are tomb models showing the same. This incredible birthing model is in , from Meir, ca. 2030–1917BC.
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Not all models are as well-sculpted as the first, but execution is less important than the image itself. Another birthing model, this time from Assiut, also Middle Kingdom, is in the collection of the Musée des beaux-arts de Lyon.
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This model in the shows a cow nursing her calf, again from Meir. The range of images ensures that sustenance is provided for both calf and tomb owner for eternity.
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Wooden tomb models are a characteristic of Middle Kingdom (ca. 2030–1650 BC) and are one of my favourite things about pharaonic Egypt. I've recently been spellbound by the publication 'Ancient Egypt Transformed', which is beyond beautiful:
metmuseum.org/art/metpublica
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That wooden model in the ROM is among my favourites. We also featured it in our Top 10 objects from the ’s Egypt collection in a #NileScribes last year: nilescribes.org/2018/01/27/top #egyptology
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Thanks for the link! I don’t know much about the museum’s collection - I discovered this model from the Met’s MK big book.
These models are astonishing. So beautiful and educational. What an amazing civilisation.
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The Meketre models in the are among the most incredible things - in my opinion - from Egypt.
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What a great gift a reproduction of this would be for a large-animal vet!
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