Sculptor’s Model of a Royal Head
Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art
On View: 19th Dynasty to Roman Period, Martha A. and Robert S. Rubin Gallery, 3rd Floor
The incised grid lines on the sides and back of this sculpture and on the lappets of its headdress suggest that this figure was a sculptor’s model, or trial piece. The rectangular protrusion, from which a uraeus (a cobra on the forehead) would have been modeled, as well as the chisel marks on the chest, support this. However, because royal busts of this type were commonly found in temples, they may have served as a votive, or offering, to a divinity in his or her shrine.
MEDIUM
Limestone
DATES
381–2nd century B.C.E.
DYNASTY
Dynasty 26, or later
PERIOD
Late Period
DIMENSIONS
9 1/4 x 7 1/8 x 4 7/16 in. (23.5 x 18.1 x 11.2 cm)
(show scale)
ACCESSION NUMBER
34.1004
CREDIT LINE
Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund
PROVENANCE
Archaeological provenance not yet documented, reportedly from the studio of a sculptor at Kepto, near Sais, Egypt; by 1934, acquired by Khawam Brothers, Cairo, Egypt; 1934, purchased from Khawam Brothers by the Brooklyn Museum.
Provenance FAQ
CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION
Sculptor's model of a head of a king in limestone. This piece is a typical specimen of late Egyptian royal portraiture of a pleasing but stereotyped nature. It is similar to others now in our collection. The uraeus on the forehead is incomplete and was probably to be left that way for it has sculptor's guiding lines on it. There are guiding lines also on the base, back and sides and parts of the front.
Condition: the right side of the forehead is badly broken; the left side of the headdress is missing and there are various minor chips.
CAPTION
Sculptor’s Model of a Royal Head, 381–2nd century B.C.E. Limestone, 9 1/4 x 7 1/8 x 4 7/16 in. (23.5 x 18.1 x 11.2 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 34.1004. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 34.1004_PS11.jpg)
IMAGE
front, 34.1004_PS11.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2015
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