11. Fragmentary Egyptian portrait of a high official, Middle Kingdom, 12th Dynasty, 1985–1795 BC
Basalt
Dimensions: 9.3 x 9.5 x 5.4cm
11921 TA
£ 65,000
Highly refined fragment of a male head, which preserves the upper part of his face and the front half of his wig, depicted with delicately drawn, finely rendered strands of...
Highly refined fragment of a male head, which preserves the upper part of his face and the front half of his wig, depicted with delicately drawn, finely rendered strands of hair, radiating outwards from the central point of the crown his head and terminating across the forehead in a series of rectangles incised with six horizontal lines, likely representing tight curls or layers of hair. He has heavily lidded, somewhat protruding eyes, which are narrowed to elongated slits, under a strong brow, smile lines to the outer corner and traces of creases below his inner corner indicating his age. Pronounced cheekbones, and the top of his large right ear remaining. A fragment without restoration.
His wig style and the treatment of his eyes are typical of the period. The damage to the face seems to indicate that it was inflicted deliberately and with some violence.
His wig style and the treatment of his eyes are typical of the period. The damage to the face seems to indicate that it was inflicted deliberately and with some violence.
Provenance
Khawam Brothers, Cairo, Egypt by 1955Jean-Michel Yoyotte (1927-2009) "Poupouti", Paris, France; acquired from the above in 1955
Thence by descent
The inventory is with the son of Jean and Michèle Yoyotte. The inventory included not only archaeological finds but also Michèle Yoyotte's important collection of tribal art, and attests to the 1955 acquisition date.
