May 10, 2008

5,000-year-old dancer.

Egyptian tomb figure, c. 3500 BC

A figure, found in a tomb from pre-dynastic Egypt. On display at the Brooklyn Museum of Art.

11 comments:

Bob said...

The shape of her arms makes me think of Mr. H.M. Wogglebug, T.E.

KCFleming said...

Everything old is new again.

It looks just like all that trendy world-eco-feminine-earth mother-womenare*all*beautiful style afflicting every t-shirt, dress, and gift shop from Door County to Sedona.

But it is quite lovely and modern.

ricpic said...

Ol' King Tut took a dancer in his tomb --
Why take chances on an afterlife without the VaVaVoom?

Bob said...

From another angle, she resembles a Giant Water Bug, the very sight of which sent my sister and I fleeing in terror as small children.

bearbee said...

Modern art isn't so modern.

Minimalist.

And yes, quite lovely.

Paddy O said...

My first thought was she is depicting a worshipper. Maybe it's my time in Pentecostal churches.

The website notes they don't know if she is depicting a priestess, a mourner, or a dancer. As I think on that I realize there's no reason to separate these into different categories. Especially given where it was found.

Our modern understanding of dancer implies dance for its own sake, but I suspect this is a dancer with a purpose and meaning.

Trooper York said...

Jeeez. Amy Winehouse hasn't changed in 5000 years. Except her skin is worse.

bearbee said...

...but I suspect this is a dancer with a purpose and meaning.

When I looked at the other views of the piece I thought its purpose more utiliterian, perhaps for holding a receptacle. I can envision 4 leaning forward, in a circle.

rhhardin said...

Might be a bottle opener.

Ralph L said...

I'm glad we've evolved more fingers since then.

bearbee said...

On the other hand (with 4 fingers) it could be a mermaid setting up for a high dive.