30TH DYNASTY-EARLY PTOLEMAIC PERIOD, CIRCA 380-246 B.C.

Sculptor's models primarily date from the New Kingdom to the Ptolemaic Periods and depict individual sitters-- royals, deities, animals and even architectural elements-- at various stages of creation. Some sculptures appear more finished, such as the present example, which depicts a Pharaoh's well-modelled head nearly in the round and with fine facial features. While some scholars have theorized these objects were used as guide pieces or teaching tools for sculptor's to create larger, finer versions for temples or tombs, it is more likely that they were ritual or votive in function, used as devotional objects (see p. 3 in N. Tomoum, The Sculptors' Models of the Late and Ptolemaic Periods).

The present example is fashioned out of plaster, the typical material for this sculptural type. Of note are the deeply-hollowed eyes with extended cosmetic lines below elegantly-curving painted brows. The full lips are pressed together and fashioned into a sweet smile. The head of a Pharaoh wears a headdress that preserves the lower edge of the uraeus centered on his forehead. While his royal status is unquestionable, his identity is opaque. It shares many similarities with the sculptor's model in limestone tentatively identified as Ptolemy II now at the Cleveland Museum (see no. 361 in L. Berman, Catalogue of Egyptian Art in the Cleveland Museum of Art). For similar examples in plaster, one with recessed eyes and brows, see pls. 32b and 33a in Tomoum, op. cit.