Egyptian Painted Mummy Face

Roman Period, 30 BC-476 AD. A wooden head modelled in the half-round and composed of wood, linen and an outer gesso covering with polychrome painted anatomical detailing with three dots arranged as a triangle between the eyebrows, remains of a painted headdress; part of a rectangular-section supporting stake emerging from the top of the head. See Walker, S. & Bierbrier, M., Ancient Faces. Mummy Portraits from Roman Egypt, London, 1997, for discussion. 305 grams, 20cm high (8"). O'Donovon collection, Nottinghamshire, 1960s-1990s. Property of a Sussex gentleman. Possibly provincial workmanship.
Condition Report: Fair condition.