Ancient Egyptian sculptors skillfully carved wood and stone. Limestone and other soft stones were carved with copper chisels or stone tools struck by hammers. Sculptural models at different stages of completion illustrated to apprentices how to cut and polish a statue.
The unfinished statuette depicts a man wearing a shendyt-kilt with his left leg advanced and arms at his side. The left arm and trapezoidal back pillar show the remains of the block face with vertical lines sculptors used to proportion the figure. The right side is roughed out to display the figure’s musculature. The shaven head and ears are summarily carved. The face is polished to reveal thin eyebrows, slanted eyes, and a slight smile, characteristics of Late Period sculpture.
MH