The Louvre's Seated Scribe

The Old Kingdom seated scribe is one of the most famous works of Egyptian art in the world. The scribe sits cross-legged with a papyrus scroll on his lap. The face is lively and enhanced by the quartz eyes (inlaid in a copper setting). The scribe has a slight roll of fat on his chest / belly, which is is an ancient convention designed to show that he was well off. The statue was probably set in a separate base (now lost) that would have been carved with the names and titles of the owner.

The statue was found by Auguste Mariette in November, 1850 near the row of sphinxes leading to the Serapeum.

While this statue is clearly from the Old Kingdom, a more specific date cannot be arrived at.