Paddle Doll
1 of 6
Object Label
So-called paddle dolls are flat, schematic representations of naked, legless female figures on which jewelry, belts, and other details have been painted or drawn. Made as fertility figures, they were dedicated to goddesses by women or couples hoping to have children. Some are adorned with strings of mud pellets, apparently imitating hair. Many also have painted images— possibly representing tattoos—of deities such as Bes and Taweret or of human couples in sexual embrace.
Caption
Paddle Doll, ca. 2081–1700 B.C.E.. Wood, mud, pigment, 9 x 2 5/8 x 3/16 in. (22.8 x 6.7 x 0.5 cm)Measurements: Ht. 22.8 cm.; greatest width c. 6.7 cm.; thickness 0.5 cm. Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 37.102E. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.37.102E_NegA_print_bw.jpg)
Title
Paddle Doll
Date
ca. 2081–1700 B.C.E.
Dynasty
Dynasty 11 to early Dynasty 13
Period
Middle Kingdom
Geography
Place made: Egypt
Medium
Wood, mud, pigment
Classification
Dimensions
9 x 2 5/8 x 3/16 in. (22.8 x 6.7 x 0.5 cm)Measurements: Ht. 22.8 cm.; greatest width c. 6.7 cm.; thickness 0.5 cm.
Credit Line
Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund
Accession Number
37.102E
Rights
Creative Commons-BY
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Frequent Art Questions
Tell me more.
The term paddle doll dates to archaeologists’ first discovery of such objects in the early twentieth century.Today, Egyptologists understand these objects not as dolls, but as representations of musicians who doubled as midwives. The necklaces they wear, called a menat, may have also been used as rattle.The Egyptians considered music and sound to be a therapeutic or even magical element aiding childbirth. When these images were included in the tomb, they could help ease the pain of rebirth into the next life.
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