2011.29
Mummy Portrait of a Lady
Artist
Artist Unidentified (Ptolemaic or Roman Egyptian)
Title
Mummy Portrait of a Lady
Creation Date
ca. 100-150
Century
early 2nd century
Dimensions
11 1/2 in. x 9 1/4 in. x 10 1/2 in. (29.21 cm x 23.5 cm x 26.67 cm)
Classification
Masks/Mummies
Creation Place
Ancient Mediterranean, Egyptian
Medium and Support
stucco, glass, painted and gilded jewelry with remains of polychrome
Credit Line
Museum Purchase, Lloyd O. and Marjorie Strong Coulter Fund and the Helen Johnson Chase Fund
Copyright
Public Domain
Accession Number
2011.29
This female portrait was originally part of a panel that served as the lid of the sarcophagus. Fashioned from plaster, the details of the face, hair, and clothing were highlighted with paint, glass, and gilding. Though meant to decorate a sarcophagus, this head is not properly a mummy mask. Instead, following a Roman tradition, the portrait was positioned upright on the sarcophagus and could be viewed in the round. When complete, the sarcophagus represented the deceased as reclining on a couch with her head raised up as though supported by a pillow.
Object Description
From the Alsdorf Collection, this 11 1/2 inch polychromed head wears a cloak over her shoulders, two necklaces and hoop earrings. Her austere face is characterized by a dimpled chin, straight nose and large heavy-lidded eyes inset with glass.
Additional Media
215.2004.jpg
