Paddle doll

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article does not cite any references or sources. (December 2007)
Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed.

The introduction to this article provides insufficient context for those unfamiliar with the subject.
Please help improve the article with a good introductory style.

A paddle doll typical of those found in most Middle Kingdom XI Dynasty (2080 - 1990 BC) tombs of Thebes. This example now resides in a private collection.

Paddle doll is the earliest form of toy documented. Several types have been discovered in tombs in Egypt. They are all made of flat wood, and usually painted with a pattern of lines dots. Some have hair composed of strings of mud and faience beads, interwoven with squares of straw to imitate gold hair rings. The dolls were placed in the tombs to do jobs for the deceased in the Osirian afterworld, such as to protect them, or to provide them with entertainment.

A fine example of a paddle doll with hair, found in a tomb in Ancient Egypt, is on display at the British Museum.^[1]