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

Details

AN EGYPTIAN PLASTER SCULPTOR'S MODEL
30TH DYNASTY-EARLY PTOLEMAIC PERIOD, CIRCA 380-246 B.C.
7 1⁄16 in. (18 cm.) high

Provenance

with J. Khawam & Cie, Cairo.
Swiss private collection, acquired from the above in April 1963, and thence by descent.

Special notice

This lot has been imported from outside of the UK for sale and placed under the Temporary Admission regime. Import VAT is payable at 5% on the hammer price. VAT at 20% will be added to the buyer’s premium but will not be shown separately on our invoice.

Conditions of sale

Brought to you by

Claudio Corsi Specialist, Head of Department

ccorsi@christies.com +44 (0) 20 7389 2607

Lot Essay

The present example is fashioned out of plaster, the common 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.

Sculptor's models primarily date from the New Kingdom to the Ptolemaic Period 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 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 sculptors 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).

More from Antiquities

View All