Almost folk-art in style and typical of Roman Egypt, this interesting figure is portrayed in the midst of her dance -  shown naked except for decorative ornaments around her neck, wrists and upper arms, she holds two large cymbals in raised arms.  Her protuding belly suggests pregnancy, further suggesting a fertility figure.

Similar wood figurines were acquired by the The Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1913 from the cemetery of Roman Imperial date at el-Deir in the Khargeh Oasis.

Condition:  Intact with minor cosmetic restoration ie: touchup repainting in small areas, cymbals rejoined to the hands, with loss to the polychrome at the top of the head and age appropriate crack to the face.  Small chips to the hands and body.  None of these small issues deter from the overall impact of this rare and quite wonderful example.

Dimensions:  Height:  33 cm (13 inches)

Provenance:  Private California collection, by descent to present owner.