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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
  • Place Made: Egypt
  • 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.
    EXHIBITIONS
    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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    RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY
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     <em>Sculptor’s Model of a Royal Head</em>, 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)