The Seated Scribe is considered one of the masterpieces of the Louvre Museum and the Egyptian statuary. Its great reputation is due to its very good conservation and the mystery that surrounds it. The particularly naturalistic treatment of its physiognomy is reinforced by the very good preservation of its polychromy as well as by the special inlay technique of the eyes. In rock crystal and white magnesite veined with red, the whole circled with copper, these bring a striking realism to this scribe. This particular care given to this sculpture suggests that it is a very high dignitary of the Old Kingdom. However, his identity remains unknown. Indeed, the loss of the pedestal containing his name and titles as well as a little informed context of excavation, do not allow to identify this character or to precisely date the sculpture.
This reproduction was made from a mold made using the technique of taking a 3D impression on the original of the Louvre. It was then patinated by hand. The depth effect of rock crystal eyes on the original was obtained by a careful deposition of layers of transparent resins: so many steps that require excellence of the gesture and mastery of advanced techniques.
These are unique skills cultivated by the artisans of the RMN-GP molding workshop. From the workshop of the Musée du Louvre, founded in 1794, it offers 6,000 references. The workshop has one of the largest and most prestigious collections of original molds in the world, reproductions of the masterpieces of sculpture, from Antiquity to the present day.
Reproduction in hand patinated resin
Size
H. 23.5 ; L. 19,5 ; P. 15 cm
Material of the original
painted limestone, eyes encrusted with rock crystal in copper
Epoch
4th or 5th Dynasty, 2600-2350