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Female Head

Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

On View: 19th Dynasty to Roman Period, Martha A. and Robert S. Rubin Gallery, 3rd Floor
CULTURE Graeco-Egyptian
MEDIUM Limestone, stone, pigment
  • Possible Place Made: Akhmim, Egypt
  • DATES 1st century B.C.E.–1st century C.E.
    PERIOD Ptolemaic Period to Roman Period
    DIMENSIONS 14 x 10 1/4 in. (35.5 x 26 cm)  (show scale)
    ACCESSION NUMBER 16.236
    CREDIT LINE Gift of Evangeline Wilbour Blashfield, Theodora Wilbour, and Victor Wilbour honoring the wishes of their mother, Charlotte Beebe Wilbour, as a memorial to their father, Charles Edwin Wilbour
    PROVENANCE Archaeological provenance not yet documented, reportedly from Akhmim (Panopolis), Egypt; before 1890, acquired by Rafaeel of Sohag, Egypt; March 9, 1890, purchased in Sohag from Rafaeel by Charles Edwin Wilbour; 1896, inherited from Charles Edwin Wilbour by Charlotte Beebe Wilbour; 1914, inherited from Charlotte Beebe Wilbour by Evangeline Wilbour Blashfield, Theodora Wilbour, and Victor Wilbour; 1916, gift of Evangeline Wilbour Blashfield, Theodora Wilbour, and Victor Wilbour to the Brooklyn Museum.
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    CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Over life size painted limestone female head probably of a Tyche. Eyes made in the Egyptian manner, pupils of black stone set into cement. Elaborately braided hair unfinished on back of head. Modius on top of head with large hole in top center presumably for attachment of a headdress. Condition: General condition good. Numerous minor chips. There are many white spots. All surfaces appear to have been painted a light yellow with red and black details in the hair.
    CAPTION Graeco-Egyptian. Female Head, 1st century B.C.E.–1st century C.E. Limestone, stone, pigment, 14 x 10 1/4 in. (35.5 x 26 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Evangeline Wilbour Blashfield, Theodora Wilbour, and Victor Wilbour honoring the wishes of their mother, Charlotte Beebe Wilbour, as a memorial to their father, Charles Edwin Wilbour, 16.236. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 16.236_overall_at_PS11.jpg)
    IMAGE overall, after treatment, 16.236_overall_at_PS11.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2021
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    RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY
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    Graeco-Egyptian. <em>Female Head</em>, 1st century B.C.E.–1st century C.E. Limestone, stone, pigment, 14 x 10 1/4 in. (35.5 x 26 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Evangeline Wilbour Blashfield, Theodora Wilbour, and Victor Wilbour honoring the wishes of their mother, Charlotte Beebe Wilbour, as a memorial to their father, Charles Edwin Wilbour, 16.236. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 16.236_overall_at_PS11.jpg)