Cleveland Museum of Art

Female Offering Bearer

Date

2000–1801 BCE

Medium

painted wood, figure of tamarisk(?), base of sycamore fig

Culture

Egypt, Middle Kingdom (2040–1648 BCE), Dynasties 11–12

Department

Egyptian and Ancient Near Eastern Art

Institution

Cleveland Museum of Art

The offering bearer wears a basic wraparound kalasiris dress and a strap that connects to the dress over her left shoulder. It is not known whether straps on ancient Egyptian dresses were designed as a part of the garment or were separate attachments for fashionable or utilitarian purposes. Ancient Egyptian illustrations typically identify women who wore this garment with a strap as servants, whereas artisans depicted men of all socioeconomic levels wearing the version for men.

The authoritative record is held by Cleveland Museum of Art. LinkedCulture surfaces this object and its connections; it does not alter institutional metadata.