Collection
/
Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

Face from the Lid of a Sarcophagus

ca. 1336–1250 B.C.E.

1 of 3

Object Label

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.

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.

Title

Face from the Lid of a Sarcophagus

Date

ca. 1336–1250 B.C.E.

Dynasty

late Dynasty 18 to early Dynasty 19

Period

New Kingdom

Geography

Place made: Egypt

Medium

Sandstone

Classification

Sculpture

Dimensions

18 × 17 × 5 in. (45.7 × 43.2 × 12.7 cm)

Credit Line

Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund

Accession Number

85.166

Frequent Art Questions

  • Tell me more.

    One detail I especially like from this sarcophagus fragment is the way that the figure's ears are being pushed forward because the hair is so heavy!

  • Tell me more.

    Can you see the markings on the hair? Those represent a floral head band.
    Floral imagery was important in ancient Egyptian funerary equipment because it had connotations of rebirth since flowers die and come back each year.
    Thanks for info!

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