Posted on January 27th, 2016 by Jane Fairhurst

Ancient Egyptian so-called ‘Paddle Doll’ named because of its shape. Early male archaeologists dismissed these female figurines as toys but more recent research suggests that “they were representations of specific living women, namely the Late Old Kingdom and Middle Kingdom khener-dancers of Hathor at Deir el-Bahari”. (Paddle Dolls and Performance Ellen F. Morris-New York University)

Here are my interpretation of those paddle dolls, made in felt with embroidered tattoos and pubic triangles, beaded hair, nazar (evil eye beads) eyes and a safety pin mouth to represent the untold story of the so-called ‘Paddle Dolls’.

Work in progress 2014 – female deity figures based on Ancient Egyptian female figurines.

Three completed female figurines, fabric figures with embroidered hair and pubic triangles, felt eyes and false eyelashes in my studio at Cross Street Arts, Standish, Wigan.