Egypt, Ptolemaic to Romano Egyptian, ca. 3rd century BCE to 1st century CE. A plaster (ground gypsum) mummy mask depicting a male visage of a remarkably human yet theatrical countenance in a style similar to Fayum painted portraiture, his features quite naturalistic with deep-set, dramatically lined open eyes gazing steadfastly ahead, framed by arched brows that lead to a straight nose, and gently pursed lips above a pointy chin, both graced with facial hair - mustache and goatee. Crowning his head is thick head of hair - every curl of his coiffure meticulously delineated. Upon his head is a wrap decorated with a winged Isis symbol in green and black pigments. Plaster masks were quite popular in Egypt, and while they evolved from Egyptian traditions reflecting the adaptation and continuation of iconographic and stylistic characteristics of Egyptian funerary art, masks like this example also reveal the Roman penchant for individualized and naturalistic portraiture. Custom stand. Size: 6.5" L x 5.875" W x 8.75" H (16.5 cm x 14.9 cm x 22.2 cm)

A quintessential Egyptian Romano portrayal, skillfully composed to highlight the gentleman's direct frontal gaze and mesmerizing presence; the likeness certainly exemplifies the Greco-Roman painting style, but at the same time, its purpose, that is to present ancient person with captivating immediacy, was most definitely Egyptian in character. This piece represents a remarkable fusion of Egyptian practices with the Greco-Romano aesthetic. As you can see, the portrait depicts the deceased male in the prime of his manhood in a lifelike manner characteristic of Imperial Rome; however, the custom of mummification to accompany the deceased in the afterlife was most definitely Egyptian.

Provenance: private Swiss collection acquired before 1972 with US Custom's entry documentation

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#122659

Repairs to head wrap (with slight losses to breaklines) and right side of jawline. Losses to head wrap, hair curls, left ear, neckline, and peripheries. Expected surface wear with pigment losses commensurate with age.