91Èȱ¬

This figurine from Egypt arrived in the collection of the Hunterian Museum before 1813. The Hunterian has a modest, but important, Egyptian collection which is used extensively for teaching and research.

The curator asked members of staff from the University of Glasgow, who work with the collections, to nominate their favourite object for the 91Èȱ¬'s "A History of the World" website. This object was picked by Dr Angela McDonald, Creativity Culture and Faith University Teacher (Ancient Studies). Angela says "Probably representing a prayer for children, this simple object gives us a glimpse of the aspirations of ordinary Egyptians. It's the little details that appeal to me the most - the woman's flamboyant wig, the pillow under her head, her sensuous rounded belly, and the fact that her hand doesn't quite touch the desired figure of the child alongside her".