An Egyptian gesso-painted wood funerary model of a boat, Middle Kingdom, circa 2046-1794 B.C., the boat manned by two oarsmen, with seated figure to bow, 43cm. long Provenance: Property of a LadyNote: Boats were an integral part of Egyptian everyday life and mythology and as such they were considered necessary in the afterlife. Usually two model boats were provided for each tomb, one showing the crew sailing south with the prevailing wind and the other with the crew rowing north. Both papyrus and wooden boats were recreated as models, representing the variety of Egyptian boats. For examples of model boats, cf. S. D'Auria, P. Lacovara, and C.H. Roehrig, Mummies and Magic: the Funerary Arts of Ancient Egypt, 1993, p. 114-115.Please refer to department for condition report