AN EGYPTIAN PLASTER SCULPTOR'S MODEL

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).