The block statue of Htp

A block statue is made out one block of stone representing a squatting person with crossed arms, his chin and his arms are resting upon his knees. This type of statue was popular in the Middle Kingdom and New Kingdom although the squatting figures were known since the first dynasty. These statues were not used for kings

The reason for using this technique:

<!--May be to produce mass production

<!--May be to save materials and avoid details

<!--May be to have enough space for writing

<!--May be it is a comfortable seat for the ancient Egyptian

<!--May the squatting position indicates rebirth from the block which indicated the primeval ocean

The statue:

It belongs to a priest from the 12th dynasty called Htp. It was discovered along with another granite one similar to this one. The statue is made out of limestone. They were found in his tomb at saqqara in 1929. He is represented with his knees in the same level with his shoulders. His arms are crossed resting on his knees under his chin. His legs are carved with full details although the feet are a bit big in size. He is wearing a straight hair wig with his ears exposed. He is represented with a false beard. He may have been represented in a mummy form. The cartouche of king Teti is inscribed on the side of the statue due to the divine position of this king. The existence of the offering formula on this statue is strange as it is usually inscribed on burial chambers, sarcophagi, coffins and false doors.

This may be because the deceased wanted his ba to visit him and read the formula

May the statue was made to be put with the deceased in the tomb but later it became a temple statue known as the beggar statues

The offering formula:   

On the right side:

<!--<!-- <!--<!-- <!--<!-- <!--<!-- <!--<!-- <!--<!-- <!--<!-- <!--<!-- <!--<!-- <!--<!-- <!--<!-- <!--<!-- <!--<!-- <!--<!-- <!--<!-- <!--<!-- <!--<!-- <!--<!-- <!--<!-- <!--<!-- <!--<!-- <!--<!-- <!--<!-- <!--<!-- <!--<!--  <!--<!-- <!--<!-- <!--<!-- <!--<!-- <!--<!--

Htp di nswt Htp di sir nb imnt  rdi.f pr xrw tA Hnkt nfr ran b n kA n imAxw Htp

An offering given by the king, an offering given by Osiris, lord of the west. May he give and offering consisting of bread, beer and every beautiful day to the ka of the honored Htp

On the left side:

<!--<!-- <!--<!-- <!--<!-- <!--<!-- <!--<!-- <!--<!-- <!--<!-- <!--<!-- <!--<!-- <!--<!-- <!--<!-- <!--<!-- <!--<!-- <!--<!-- <!--<!-- <!--<!-- <!--<!-- <!--<!-- <!--<!-- <!--<!-- <!--<!-- <!--<!-- <!--<!-- <!--<!-- <!--<!-- <!--<!-- <!--<!-- <!--<!--  <!--<!-- <!--<!-- <!--<!-- <!--<!-- <!--<!--

Htp di nswt Htp di impw tpy Dw.f m xA tA Hnkt xA kAw AbDw xA Hbs xA sSrw n kA n imAxw Htp

An offering made by the king, an offering made by Anubis, he who is upon his mountain, and offering of thousand of bread and beer, thousand of oxen and geese, thousand of clothes, thousand of alabaster for the ka of honored Htp