Roundel with Human Head

20th century (probably)

1 of 5

Object Label

All three of these objects display the unrealistic hairdos and overlarge, staring eyes found on many forgeries of Late Antique Egyptian sculpture. Each also has other unconvincing details not typical of the period. The head on the roundel wears a necklace of unknown type and appears to emerge from some sort of egg. The arch is much too small to be a true tomb arch of the type seen elsewhere in this exhibition. The unidentifiable figure in its center is overshadowed by a welter of unrelated animals and decorative motifs. The male figure, unlike a true funerary representation, turns away from the viewer. His garment has no historical parallels, and the object in his hand is unrecognizable.

Caption

Roundel with Human Head, 20th century (probably). Nummulitic limestone, pigment, 3 15/16 x Diam. 15 3/16 in. (10 x 38.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Louis Beck and Jerome M. Eisenberg, 60.212. (Photo: Brooklyn Museum)

Title

Roundel with Human Head

Date

20th century (probably)

Period

Modern

Geography

Reportedly from: Antinoe (El Sheikh Ibada), Egypt

Medium

Nummulitic limestone, pigment

Classification

Sculpture

Dimensions

3 15/16 x Diam. 15 3/16 in. (10 x 38.5 cm)

Credit Line

Gift of Louis Beck and Jerome M. Eisenberg

Accession Number

60.212

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