Egyptian Steatite Bust in a Gold Pendant

PTOLEMAIC PERIOD, 332-30 B.C.

1 1/2 in. (8.75 grams, 38 mm).

Fragment of a carved panel or vessel depicting a female bust - possibly a queen or Isis - modelled in half-round relief, wearing a loosely draped tunic, a tiered wesekh collar, and a heavy curled, tripartite wig; reverse with lotus flower ropework and other ornamentation; mounted in a later gold suspension frame.

Provenance

Private collection, Southern France, 1970s.
Acquired on the English art market.

Literature

Cf. Walker, S., Higgs, P. (eds.), Cleopatra of Egypt from History to Myth, London, 2001, pp. 76-77, no. 56, for the stela depiction of Queen Arsinoe III wearing a similar garment; pp.160-161, no.160, for a statue of Cleopatra VII wearing a tripartite wig with similarly tight curls.

CONDITION

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LOT 0517