Egyptian Old Kingdom fine hardwood figure of a noble

E75

£4,850.00

Sold

A fine hardwood sculpture depicting a man wearing a long kilt with a projecting front panel. The figure is shown gripping his kilt in his right hand, a fold across the front panel is indicated by juxtaposed horizontal lines.

Figures such as this were placed in the tombs of elite members of Egyptian society, intended to represent the deceased as they would have appeared in daily life. The facial details are vivacious and naturalistic, indicative of portraiture rather than standardised representation.

Traces of white and black painted details are preserved around the eyes and face as well as the wig.

Culture
Egypt, Old Kingdom, 6th Dynasty, c. 2345-2181 BC

Size
18.2 x 7.2 cms, 22.3 cms including display stand

Condition
Losses as seen in the photographs

Provenance
Ex. deceased estate, Brittany, France; formerly in a collection of African art acquired in the mid to late 20th Century and thence by descent. The collection was sold in a single-owner auction entitled “Un collection Breton” by the auctioneer Gros & Delettrez on the 18th October 2023. The figure was probably acquired in the 1960’s or 1970’s (based on the age of the mounting on the oak display block by the former owner).

blank

TOP