Statue of an asymmetrically seated man

In the pictureA small man carved from yellow stone sits on a square base. His right leg is folded forward and laid flat on the ground while his left knee is raised high, and a fold of the cloak falling from his shoulder covers the raised knee in a large triangle. His right hand rests on the folded leg, and the foot of the raised leg is placed at the front of the base. A wig incised with lines sweeps behind his ears to touch his shoulders, and his face looks straight ahead. There are dark stains here and there on the surface. His chest is bare, and the expression of his elongated eyes and closed mouth is calm.

BackgroundEgyptian sculpture is known for strictly observing symmetry and frontality, but a pose with one knee raised like this is sometimes seen in small statues of private individuals rather than gods or kings. The museum's record gives a broad date from the Middle Kingdom to the early New Kingdom (Dynasties 12–18, about 1981–1550 B.C.) and notes that it is said to have come from the Intef cemetery at el-Tarif in Thebes. The material is yellow limonite and the height 13.5 cm; it was bequeathed by Theodore M. Davis in 1915. Wrapping the body in a cloak is a form of dress commonly seen in private statues of the Middle Kingdom.

Puzzle tipIt is a small stone of even color, so even with few pieces it is no pushover. Find the large triangle formed by the raised knee and the cloak first, and anchor the top with the fine stripes of the wig and the face pieces. Fit the base by its square outline at the bottom, and fill in the gray background starting from the pieces along the statue's edge. The feet and toes at the front of the base are small, clearly shaped reference points, and the dark stains fall in a different place on each piece, which makes them good for checking against the preview. We recommend 24 pieces.