THE EVOLUTION OF FIGURINE ART IN EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN, NORTHERN BALKANS AND SOUTHEASTERN EUROPE
E. EGYPT
Predynastic figurines come mainly from burials (where they were tied up in bundles) yet did not seem to have been of any particular importance for the dead, since they were found mixed with a lot of other objects. Made of clay, ivory or plant paste, they bespeak skilled mastery of the materials and accomplished modelling techniques. Βesides humans, they rendered boats, animals, etc.
They fall into two classes: a) three-dimensional statuettes (pin figures) and b) small, flat figurines (tag figures). Those belonging to the first category were called ‘pin- figures’ because they had, in their majority, a pointed lower part for insertion in the sand. They were either crude or carefully made from good materials and were usually standing, with the arms in various positions. Sitting examples sometimes had a large base. Predynastic figurines almost always had facial features and in some cases clay wigs and traces of textiles on the body and head. Their breasts were small and the pubis is seldom marked. Great freedom in modelling resulted in a large variety of figures.
However, it is not known whether they were connected to any cultural processes.
