NEW KINGDOM, EARLY DYNASTY XVIII, CIRCA 1550-1450 B.C.

Details

AN EGYPTIAN PAINTED LIMESTONE FEMALE HEAD
NEW KINGDOM, EARLY DYNASTY XVIII, CIRCA 1550-1450 B.C.
Wearing centrally parted thick braided wig, remains of separate plaited braids at the rear of the head, the large almond-shaped eyes with black outline, remains of red, black and white painted polychrome decoration, mounted
1 7/8 in. (4.7 cm.) high

Provenance

Formerly in a private collection, UK.
Acquired from Rupert Wace Ancient Art Ltd., London, 2000.

Special notice

VAT rate of 5% is payable on hammer price plus buyer's premium.

Lot Essay

The majority of similar wigs are worn by noblewomen and the wives of high officials, cf. W. C. Hayes, The Scepter of Egypt, Part II, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 1959, p. 62, fig. 31 and p. 157, fig. 86 for similar. A head with the same distinctive plaiting of the hair is in the Petrie Museum, London, no. UC16878, and also, cf. exhibition catalogue, C. H. Roehrig (ed.), Hatshepsut from Queen to Pharaoh, Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, 2005, pp. 238-239, no. 166.

More from Antiquities

View All