Limestone head of a woman

This limestone head a of a woman dates from the New Kingdom. It’s remnants showcase a beautifully decorated wig, adorned with a headband and plaited tress fascading down the back of her head. However, the piece has recieved much restoration work and has somewhat influenced how we see this piece in the modern age.

This is our attempt at Egypt-Museum of recreating the statues fragmented state of which it was discovered. As you can see, the centre of the face has been replastered. The museums archive actually states the paintwork on the eyes is also the work of restorers.

Such a portrait of such granduer and detail must have been created for a woman of status, likely a wife of a noble. Her deep set eyes, straight mouth and oversized wig indicates wealth. Remembering this piece is a fragment, brings to mind the idea of what the piece may have looked like in it’s original state, and it’s not surprising the restoration work was eagerly taken place.

There are other statues similar in style, such as the statue of the wife of Nakhtmin, which sugguests to us here at Egypt-Museum that the statue likely dates from the mid-late 18th Dynasty, but we would be interested to hear your theories too.

Summary:

Fragmented head of a woman, with modern restoration work

New Kingdom, Probably Late 18th Dynasty (?), c. 1388-1292 B.C.

Field Museum of Natural History. Edward E. Ayer Collection, acquired in 1899.