Lot 1
1
AN EGYPTIAN LIMESTONE FIGURE OF A MAN
AN EGYPTIAN LIMESTONE FIGURE OF A MAN
1 More
THE PROPERTY OF A SWISS PRIVATE COLLECTOR
AN EGYPTIAN LIMESTONE FIGURE OF A MAN

OLD KINGDOM, 6TH DYNASTY, 2323-2150 B.C.

Details
AN EGYPTIAN LIMESTONE FIGURE OF A MAN
OLD KINGDOM, 6TH DYNASTY, 2323-2150 B.C.
Depicted standing on an integral rectangular plinth with his left leg advanced, his arms at his sides with his hands fisted around a bolt of cloth, his finger- and toenails well detailed, with a nipped-in waist, a recessed navel, and broad shoulders, wearing a belted kilt, the right side pleated, and a mid-length, striated, flaring wig, his ears exposed, his large head with the brows in relief, tapering at their outer ends, the convex slanted eyes with raised lids, the slender nose with rounded nostrils, the full lips pressed together, the vermillion line and philtrum indicated, preserving traces of red pigment for flesh tones and dark pigment for the broad collar, the slender back pillar terminating below the edge of the wig
16¾ in. (42.5 cm.) high
Provenance
Charles Gillet (1879-1972), Lausanne; thence by descent.
Sale room notice
Please note that Renaud Gillet lived near Villard, Switzerland as opposed to Paris, France.

If you wish to view the condition report of this lot, please sign in to your account.

Sign in
View condition report

Lot Essay

The 6th Dynasty, the last of the Old Kingdom, was a period of decline in Egypt. The Dynasty is defined by a weakening of kingship and an ineffective central administration, coupled with an increase in power of the regional leaders, the nomarchs. According to Markowitz (p.99 in Y. Markowitz, J. Haynes and R. Freed, Egypt in the Age of the Pyramids) royal sculpture during this period typically exhibit the following traits: large heads, exaggerated body proportions, narrow waists, undeveloped musculature, elongated limbs and asymmetry. As in all periods in Egypt, the standard set by the Royals was emulated by courtiers and officials, as evinced by the example presented here. For other 6th Dynasty private statuary exhibiting one or more of these traits see the statue of Shepsesptah, no. 42 in M.M. Grewenig and W. Seipel, Götter, Menschen, Pharaonen, and the double statue no. 33 in W. Seipel, Gott, Mensch, Pharao.

More from Antiquities

View All
View All