Statues of Metjetji Old Kingdom, late V Dynasty-early VI Dynasty, 2371-2288 B.C.E. Painted Wood, Possibly from Saqqara Left: 35 1/16 in. (89 cm) Base: 6 15/16 x 16 7/16 in. (17.7 x 41.8 cm) 50.77, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund Right: 27 9/16 in. (70 cm) Base: 13 3/4 x 1 3/4 x 6 7/8 in. (35 x 4.5 x 17.5 cm) Brooklyn #53.222, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund Photo © Joan Lansberry, May 2008-2016

(from the info card "These two wooden statues, like another example nearby, come from the tomb of an official named Metjetji. They depict him at different stages of his career, signified by different details of his costume. On these statues, the unusually well-preserved paint shows beaded jewelry around his neck and strands of beads hanging from his belt. The figure holding a staff, with a round face and strong-looking body, may represent Metjetji as a young man. The other statue, slightly thinner, appears more serious, possibly to indicate the onset of middle age."

Statue of Metjetji Old Kingdom, late V Dynasty-early VI Dynasty, 2371-2288 B.C.E. Wood, gessoed and painted; alabaster, obsidian, copper 24 3/16 in. (61.5 cm) Base: 12 1/2 x 5 1/8 x 2 in. (31.8 x 13 x 5.1 cm) Brooklyn #51.1, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund Photo © Joan Lansberry, May 2008-2016

(from the info card "Metjetji, the subject of this statue, is also depicted in the two wooden statuettes nearby. In this case he is is shown in later life, with the long kilt of a senior official and, as viewed from the side, a rather flabby torso. The expensive addition of inlaid stone eyes with copper rims suggests that this one was considered the most important of Metjetji's statues. A large head, big eyes, and very long fingers often appear on statues of this time; here they seem to suggest wisdom and maturity."