Painted Portrait of a Woman

Painted Portrait of a Woman 


This female portrait is stylistically very close to the Byzantine iconographic tradition, although the lack of characterizing detail means it might be dated anywhere between the second half of the second century AD and the start of the fourth century AD.

It is defined by delicate brushstrokes of strong contrasting colors, as the tempera technique used is unable to give the three dimensional effects achieved with encaustic painting.

Tempera is a painting medium in which pigment is mixed with water-soluble glutinous materials such as egg yolk. The result is that the woman seems flat; her eyes are dull and inexpressive; and her personality is hardly revealed by her long lower lashes and thick dark eyebrows.

The proportions of her features are poorly handled and her nose is too long for the oval of her face; in addition, the slight twist of the neck is exaggerated by the thick wrinkles of her skin.


Present location EGYPTIAN MUSEUM [01/001] CAIRO EM
Inventory number JE 30712
Dating ROMAN PERIOD
Archaeological Site EL-FAIYUM
Category PORTRAIT
Material WOOD
Technique WOOD-TECHNIQUE; PAINTED
Height 35 cm
Width 19.5 cm


globalegyptianmuseum

earring

From Egypt
New Kingdom, 1475-1180 BC

Fashionable for men and women

This earring is made of a grooved strip of gold, curved into a loop. On one side of the open ends is an extension that passed through the pierced earlobe, catching on the projection on the other side. The exterior of the earring is decorated with gold braid, which was originally inlaid into each of the grooves, but much of which is now lost. The use of inlays of gold, precious stones or glass was very common in earrings and other jewellery of the New Kingdom (1550-1070 BC).
Pierced ears were fashionable for both men and women during the New Kingdom. Several pairs of elaborate earrings were found in the intact tomb of Tutankhamun. Earrings were made in many shapes and of many types of material. Wall paintings in the tomb of Nebamun show women wearing large gold earrings. These were elements of their best attire, worn on special occasions. Such adornments are not restricted to the wealthy guests at the banquet, but are also part of the elaborate dress of the singers, musicians and dancers.
C.A.R. Andrews, Ancient Egyptian jewellery (London, The British Museum Press, 1996)

British Museum
britishmuseum.org

The Mastaba (G2196) of Iasen

The Mastaba (G2196) of Iasen


This can be divided into three parts, with the central area dominated by the niche containing the full sized standing statue of Iasen. This niche is situated slightly to the south (left) of the central axis. The north section of the wall has in front of it the protective barrier which surrounds the main funeral shaft of the tomb

osirisnet.net

Relief, Saqqara.

Relief, Saqqara. Country of Origin: Egypt. Culture: Ancient Egyptian. Date/Period: Old Kingdom. Credit Line: Werner Forman Archive/ . Location: 16.

The ruins of the palace of Minos at Knossos

The ruins of the palace of Minos at Knossos where in 1900 English archaeologist Arthur Evans discovered mysterious clay tablets bearing an ancient unknown script. Decades later, Michael Ventris deciphered them using the work of Alice Kober. Kober's contribution has been largely ignored until now. Photo: Getty Images

In the mummiform case is contained the body of Osiris

In the mummiform case is contained the body of Osiris, made of earth with germinated grains, symbolising the resurrection of the god. Similar figures were made  and buried every December to ensure the fertility of the earth and a good harvest. Country of Origin: Egypt. Culture: Ancient Egyptian. Date/Period: Late Period. Place of Origin: Memphis. Material Size: H = 22 ins. Credit Line: Werner Forman Archive/Private Collection . Location: 39.

Limestone stela of mahwia

Limestone stela of mahwia


Found in the foundations of the temple of Ramesses II, Memphis, Egypt
Possibly 18th Dynasty, 15th-14th century BC



In 1908 Flinders Petrie was excavating in the foundations of the Temple of Ramesses II (1279-1213 BC) at Memphis, and discovered there many 'ear stelae'. This is one of the best examples. Stelae bearing images of gods do sometimes bear a number of ears (see the stela of Penbuy, also in The British Museum), while others like this one are literally covered in them. These ears have been interpreted either as an expression of the willingness of the god to listen, or as a magical compulsion to ensure that the god hears. The central column of inscription on this stela offers praise to the god Ptah. The owner Mahwia clearly expected a positive response to his prayers.
R. Parkinson, Cracking codes: the Rosetta St (London, The British Museum Press, 1999)
M.L. Bierbrier (ed.), Hieroglyphic texts from Egyp-7, part 12 (London, The British Museum Press, 1993)

British Museum
britishmuseum.org