Plaster Portrait Mask of a Youth

Period:
Roman Period
Date:
A.D. 140–190 probably
Geography:
Country of Origin Egypt, Middle Egypt, Tuna el-Gebel possibly
Medium:
Plaster, linen, paint, lapis lazuli, glass
Dimensions:
l. 58.5 cm (23 1/16 in); w. 27.4 cm (10 13/16 in); h. 30 cm (11 13/16 in)
Credit Line:
Rogers Fund, 1912
Accession Number:
12.182.46
  • Description

    This youth's black hair is combed into a slightly wild style reminiscent of portraits fashionable in the Greek-speaking eastern provinces of the Roman Empire in the mid- and later second century a.d. Over his white tunic with rose clavi (stripes) he wears a white mantle, with a woven H-motif visible below his left hand. The youth's head is raised on a rather high support decorated with Egyptian motifs. Flanking his neck are banks of three golden uraei, and at the back of his head is the falcon god Re-Harakhty, flanked by two of the Sons of Horus, Qebesenuef and Duamutef.

  • Provenance

    Purchased in Cairo from Maruice Nahman, 1912.

  • See also
    What
    Where
    When
    In the Museum
    Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History
    MetPublications
100004481

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