An Egyptian Limestone Head of a Noblewoman

Late Period, Dynasty 26, 664-525 B.C.

Height 4 inches.

Property from the Estate of Joan Conway Crancer, St. Louis, Missouri

Note:

A silver statuette of a royal woman with very similar facial features, inscribed with the cartouches of the Pharaoh Necho II (who reigned from 610-595 B.C.) on her upper arms, is in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, accession number 30.8.93. It is likely that the present example represents the same royal woman.

Provenance:

Private Collection, Switzerland.

L'Ibis Gallery Ltd., New York, 1 September 1989 (with invoice).

Intact as preserved; a minor crack in one side of her face near the ear; other minor chips, gashes and rough areas / encrustation as is typical, but no readily visible restoration. Originally sold to Joan Conway Crancer as stucco, but now thought to be carved from soft limestone, not molded from stucco or gesso, after review by an independent Egyptologist (plaster or gesso or stucco heads not known to exist before Romano-Egyptian period). Possibly hollow on the back for fitting onto something else, perhaps a statue whose head had been lost.

The physical condition of lots in our auctions can vary due to age, normal wear and tear, previous damage, and restoration/repair. All lots are sold "AS IS," in the condition they are in at the time of the auction, and we and the seller make no representation or warranty and assume no liability of any kind as to a lot's condition. Any reference to condition in a catalogue description or a condition report shall not amount to a full accounting of condition. Condition reports prepared by Freeman's staff are provided as a convenience and may be requested from the Department prior to bidding.

The absence of a posted condition report on the Freeman's website or in our catalogues should not be interpreted as commentary on an item's condition. Prospective buyers are responsible for inspecting a lot or sending their agent or conservator to inspect the lot on their behalf, and for ensuring that they have requested, received and understood any condition report provided by Freeman's.

Please email for any additional information or questions you may have regarding this lot.

To request further details about this lot, please email [email protected]

Please contact the Auction Specialist for details.

Corbin Horn

Vice President, Head of Department, European Furniture & Decorative Arts

[email protected]312.334.4214

Mr. Horn joined the firm in 2009 and has directed numerous sales of important collections, including those of Lilly Pulitzer, Lord Anthony and Lady Jacobs, Lars Bolander, Casa de Sueños in Miami Beach, and Villa Massei in Lucca, Italy. He has also achieved record results for consignments from prominent institutions, including the Toledo Museum of Art, the High Museum of Art, the Detroit Institute of Arts and the Minnesota Historical Society. Mr. Horn is a member of the Antiquarian Society of the Art Institute of Chicago and is an alumnus of the Attingham Trust.

Ben Fisher

Managing Director, Furniture and Decorative Arts

[email protected]312.447.3270

Mr. Fisher rejoined the firm in 2019 after working as a specialist in the American Furniture and Folk Art department at Sotheby’s New York. His areas of expertise include 18th, 19th, and 20th century American, Continental, and English furniture, decorative and folk art. Before coming to Hindman in 2013, Mr. Fisher worked in European Furniture and Decorative Arts in Philadelphia. He began his career working for a prints dealer focusing on works from the 16th through the 20th centuries.

We are open for pick-up Monday-Friday: 9am-4:30pm.

For questions about shipping or packing, please contact [email protected] or see our Shipping/Packing page.

Antiquities, Islamic & Indian Art

An Egyptian Limestone Head of a Noblewoman

Lot Description

Condition Report

Preview

Auction Contact

Shipping | Pickup