Sandal Maker, Tomb of Rekhmire 1504 BC

Nina de Garis Davies created this watercolor and pencil facsimile of ‘Sandal Maker, Tomb of Rekhmire'. Made in Egypt, this image derives from the decoration of an elite tomb. The figure is shown crafting what appears to be an elaborate sandal. Above and to the right are his tools, carefully arranged as if for inspection. The sandal maker sits upon a stool, his legs bare, wearing only a simple white kilt. The image is interesting for what it tells us about the social structures of its time. It may seem like a straightforward depiction of daily life. However, its presence within a tomb suggests a desire to preserve or idealize certain aspects of society. The figure's skill and dedication to his craft may have been seen as virtues worthy of commemoration. This was likely a conservative commission meant to reinforce the values of the elite class who would inhabit the tomb. To fully understand this work, we might turn to archaeological reports, studies of Egyptian social history, and analyses of tomb decoration. Each of these resources helps to interpret the meaning of this image within its original social and institutional context.