Civic Archaeological Museum of Bologna: mirror handle in wood and ivory; New Kingdom, late 18th - early 19th dynasty (1539-1190 BC).Inv. EG 1859The graceful and sensual body of this young girl served as a handle for a metal mirror, one of the most sought-after toilet objects by wealthy Egyptian ladies. A bronze or silver disk, now missing, was fixed to the head of the statuette. The long curls, held back by a band that is knotted behind the head, and the large ivory earrings initially draw the attention of the viewer to the face, but the careless gesture with which the girl moves a lock of hair behind her right shoulder, clutching a bird with open wings to her chest, while she almost imperceptibly advances her left leg and slightly spreads her feet, leads one to look over the entire nakedness of her body, characterized by delicate prosperity and vital tensio
