The figurine, owned by the British Museum, is said to be the oldest known representation of the human form in lead. Its appearance is described and illustrated with black and white photographs. It is carved, not cast, and the metal is very pure. The scarcity of metal in ancient Egypt may indicate that the subject had a high status: she differs from limestone figurines of the period (which may have represented slaves) in racial type and in stylistic details such as clothing. -- AATA