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Head and Bust of an Official in a Double Wig

Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

During the nearly two hundred fifty years of Dynasty 18, fashions for men and women grew increasingly elaborate. One of the most popular masculine hairstyles during the reign of Amunhotep III was the “double wig” depicted on this head, consisting of long strands on top of sausage-like curls. The neckline of this statue’s shirt is still preserved.
MEDIUM Red granite
  • Place Made: Egypt
  • DATES ca. 1390-1352 B.C.E.
    DYNASTY Dynasty 18
    PERIOD New Kingdom
    DIMENSIONS 4 1/2 x 4 9/16 x 3 3/4 in. (11.4 x 11.6 x 9.6 cm)  (show scale)
    ACCESSION NUMBER 86.226.28
    CREDIT LINE Gift of the Ernest Erickson Foundation, Inc.
    CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Dark red to black quartzite or granite head of a man with double wig, ears partly covered. Incised line around neck. Upper part of wig plain striations; lower part stylized echeloned curls in bold relief. Plastic eyebrows and upper eyelid rims; edge of lips outlined. Broken off exactly at level of top of back pillar. Condition: Wig broken off on right side; nose mostly missing; chips here and there; chin slightly damaged; otherwise in sound condition. Upper lip damaged.
    MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view
    CAPTION Head and Bust of an Official in a Double Wig, ca. 1390-1352 B.C.E. Red granite, 4 1/2 x 4 9/16 x 3 3/4 in. (11.4 x 11.6 x 9.6 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the Ernest Erickson Foundation, Inc., 86.226.28. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 86.226.28_PS2.jpg)
    IMAGE overall, 86.226.28_PS2.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2007
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    RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY
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