Model Boat and Figures

Egypt

22nd–18th century BCE

Polychromed wood

Minneapolis Institute of Art

A wooden model of an ancient Egyptian boat with ten figures seated in rows. The boat has a tall mast and a curved prow and stern. <p>This boat, manned by eighteen oarsmen and equipped with a mast and a mount for the steering oar, is of the type commonly placed in the tomb of a deceased noble or government official. It faithfully represents the vessels used in daily life for fishing and for transportation on the Nile. A model boat enabled the deceased to make a pilgrimage by magical proxy to the city of Abydos, the cult center of the god Osiris. Sometimes two boats were provided, one with a mast for sailing south (against the current) and one with only oarsmen for sailing north (with the current.) </p><p>Grave-goods found in Middle Kingdom tombs have also inclu