Carved Head from Egypt

This has been in the family for some time and was obtained in Egypt by a elderly woman who had many travels. Does anyone know anything about this item? It is not symmetrical in areas. It is heavy and is stone. DOes anyone recognize the period of this carving and who it may be of?

 

TY. Very Much

 

I have no opinion as to age or origin, but it looks a bit like alabaster; note that some types of alabaster are somewhat water-soluble.
(And welcome!)

 

I was gonna say marble......but I'm not sure....
we need a close up !

 

Hello, Lynn. Not an answer to your questions, but sometimes we get there by working out other things about an item first. I'm going to throw in that it looks more like a scribe, someone that way, rather than pharaoh.

Either of the stones the name alabaster is applied to is possible; steatite/soapstone is another. A photo of the bottom may be helpful on this question.

 

Welcome Lynn.

It is a beautiful head, with real presence.
It looks genuinely old, but I have no idea if it is, and if so, which period it would be. Ancient? Later? It doesn't look Ptolemaic to me.
I haven't seen this hairstyle or wig on ancient Egyptian figures before. But then, every self-respecting person of means in ancient Egypt had several wigs with different hairstyles.
I have no reason to think this would be a scribe, they were usually depicted with short curly hair (no braiding), long-haired wigs, or bald.

I think it is best to take it to a museum. It is one of those things that you have to have to hold to assess properly.

I think you mean gypsum and calcite. I agree, could be either.

 

Welcome to Antiquers Lynn!

 

These look somewhat similar, and he dates them to the 19th century (1850-1880). Probably made for the tourist market.
"9120 A group of four Egyptian alabaster heads in Ancient style, each one depicting a different period, on turned wooden bases."

http://www.robinmartinantiques.com/product/four-egyptian-alabaster-heads/

 

good find 2many !!!!
That looks spot on !!

Good call on the stone All-Fakes !!!

Once again ...this gang ROCKS !!!

 

Certainly looks like it. Different base, but they could have been fitted with different bases of course.

 

Yes, exactly. 'Alabaster' is an imprecise term.

Presumably they mean the more durable calcite type.

 

Welcome Lynn. Love the bust.

 

Well think what you like it will be interesting to find out

 

TY. I am trying to find out it's period in time, and who it may be. MIght take me along time but I'll find out

 

I might prove you wrong on this one.

 

I understand your doubt, especially because the base is different, so it may not be the same edition. Which is antique, just not ancient Egyptian.
Taking it to a museum where someone who can hold it and assess it is always a good idea. Will you let us know the result?

 

Yes I have a message into a Museum. I'll post when I find out

 

Well Done All .. GREAT information !!! .. Joy.