Statue of the Egyptian scribe Kaaper, circa 2500 BCE.
(Photo: Djehouty viaWikimedia Commons,CC BY-SA 4.0)
The ancient Egyptians were master artisans and artists.
For the past several centuries, archeologists have consistently discovered fine works that continue to awe viewers.
Statue of the Egyptian scribe Ka’aper, circa 2500 BCE. (Photo: Djehouty viaWikimedia Commons,CC BY-SA 4.0)
This wooden statue is an incredibly lifelike piece of art whose craftsmanship is almost impossible to believe.
The hyperrealistic and beautifully crafted statue demonstrates the immense skill of the ancient artisans.
It dates to the 5th dynasty of the Old Kingdom, circa 2500 BCE.
Wife of Sheik el Beled, who was also known as Ka’aper. (Photo: Jon Bodsworth viaWikimedia Commons, copyright free)
The statue is in a striding pose and holds a staff.
Ka’aper was a scribe and priest-reader who had an official, but not very high-ranking, role.
He is therefore shown not as an idealized figure, but as a realistic looking man.
Carved from sycamore wood, it is remarkable that the statue survived so well.
One element that appears to have disintegrated is its originally plastered and painted outermost layer.
Even so, the statue’s level of preservation is quite impressive.
That is how the statue got one of its namesSheikh el-Balad, meaningmayorortown leaderin Arabic.
Alongside this figure in the mastaba was a statue of a woman, also carved in wood.
She is thought to be Ka’aper’s wife.
Today, the famous statue of Ka’aper is held atThe Egyptian Museumin Cairo, Egypt.
Many other gorgeous examples of Egyptian art can be found at the world-famous institution.
Wife of Sheik el Beled, who was also known as Ka’aper.
