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Face from the Lid of a Sarcophagus

Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

On View: 19th Dynasty to Roman Period, Martha A. and Robert S. Rubin Gallery, 3rd Floor

The broad, flat character of this face indicates that it came from a sarcophagus. The fillet with lotus flowers is a symbol of light, life, and rebirth.

The work's dating is based on its style: the organic modeling, heavily lidded eyes, and full, sensuous lips turned up in a smile find their best parallels in art of late Dynasty XVIII and early Dynasty XIX.

MEDIUM Sandstone
  • Place Made: Egypt
  • DATES ca. 1336–1250 B.C.E.
    DYNASTY late Dynasty 18 to early Dynasty 19
    PERIOD New Kingdom to Ramesside Period
    DIMENSIONS 18 × 17 × 5 in. (45.7 × 43.2 × 12.7 cm)  (show scale)
    ACCESSION NUMBER 85.166
    CREDIT LINE Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund
    CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION One face from an anthropoid sarcophagus, of sandstone (?), with traces of a beard and the headdress adorned with a headband and flower. Condition: Stone is blackened; large chips in headdress brow and ears; other small chips here and there; dirt incrusted in ears.
    CAPTION Face from the Lid of a Sarcophagus, ca. 1336–1250 B.C.E. Sandstone, 18 × 17 × 5 in. (45.7 × 43.2 × 12.7 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 85.166. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: , 85.166_PS9.jpg)
    IMAGE overall, 85.166_PS9.jpg., 2019
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    RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY
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     <em>Face from the Lid of a Sarcophagus</em>, ca. 1336–1250 B.C.E. Sandstone, 18 × 17 × 5 in. (45.7 × 43.2 × 12.7 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 85.166. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: , 85.166_PS9.jpg)