Statuette of Iby-ref, a provincial administrator

This wooden tomb figure of a late 12th Dynasty (ca. 1775 BC) official, Iby-ref, is an exquisite example of craftsmanship of the period. The inlaid eyes render the figure remarkably life-like and traces of red pigment indicate the statuette was painted. The left arm and fronts of feet have been restored. This figure would have been the object of offerings in his tomb on a regular basis and was considered able to magically receive these offerings for use by the deceased in the Afterworld.