Lot 9
Egypt, Ptolemaic Period, ca. 332 to 30 BCE. A rare and evocative artifact from the twilight of ancient Egyptian rule, this double-sided limestone plaque offers a glimpse into the artistic and devotional practices of the Ptolemaic period. Carved in shallow relief on both faces, the plaque presents two distinct male heads, each rendered with markedly different techniques and levels of refinement. On the more polished side, a noble figure faces right, his brow adorned with an elaborate headdress and a striking uraeus - the rearing cobra that symbolized divine authority and pharaonic power. Though the lower portion of the figure is lost, the confident profile and unmistakable royal iconography suggest an image of the king, perhaps intended as a visual prototype for a larger composition. Size: 0.9" L x 7.5" W x 5" H (2.3 cm x 19 cm x 12.7 cm); 9.3" H (23.6 cm) on included custom stand.
The opposite face, rotated 90 degrees, is more loosely executed. Here, the head and shoulders of a man wearing a close-fitting skullcap emerge from the surface with minimal modeling. The composition is simpler and less detailed, likely intended as a rough draft or early-stage practice piece.
Traditionally identified as a sculptor's model or trial relief, this plaque may also have served as an ex-voto - a devotional object left in a temple or sanctuary. Examples of similar plaques have been found in the vicinity of ancient workshops, supporting their association with artistic training. The presence of two reliefs in differing stages of completion may have been intended to guide apprentices, showing a transition from rough blocking to refined execution.
Whether a votive gift or a learning tool, this plaque stands as a quiet testament to the creative process behind Egypt's enduring visual culture. In its modest scale and contrasting surfaces, it captures both the discipline of the workshop and the reverence for form that underpinned centuries of monumental art.
Provenance: Collection of Y. Kayvan, Los Angeles, California, USA, acquired from a Los Angeles, California, USA gallery acquisition dates range from the late 1990s to 2005
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#194829
- Condition: Fragment of a larger piece. Professionally repaired from 2 pieces with restoration over break lines. Chipping to ear and nose of royal and on peripheries. Age-expected weathering to surface as shown. Otherwise, liberal remaining detail with areas of rich mineral deposits.
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