An Egyptian Basalt Portrait Bust of a Woman

Middle Kingdom, 13th Dynasty, 1773-1650 B.C.

Height 10 1/4 inches.

Provenance:

Robert Friedinger-Pranter (1894-1967), the Austrian ambassador to Egypt, acquired while on diplomatic post in Cairo, 1950-1953; thence by descent.

with Münzen und Medaillen, Basel.

with Royal-Athena Galleries, New York, acquired from the above, 1987 (Art & Auction, October 1987, p. 92; Art of the Ancient World, vol. V,1, 1988, no. 66).

James and Marilynn Alsdorf, Chicago, acquired in 1987.

Christie’s, New York, Ancient Art from the James and Marilynn Alsdorf Collection, online, 2-16 June 2020, Lot 1.

A diagonal crack through the proper right side of the headdress, just to the right of center, then diagonally through the forehead, the inner corner of the proper left eye, through the left cheek, upper part of the neck, and continuing diagonally through the lower portion of the headdress. This crack with fill and overpainting, now cracking in places, with minor losses. Additional overpainting blending the surface to either side of the crack, especially along the proper left side of the face, including the left eye, and upper part of the cheek toward the ear.

Some large gashes to the top right side of the head. The nose lost. The break along the lower edge rough. The surface worn throughout with minor chips and losses.

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

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.

Nick Coombs

Vice President, Senior Specialist, European Furniture & Decorative Arts

[email protected]312 280 1212

Nick Coombs is a senior specialist in the Furniture & Decorative Arts department and also the Coins, Medals & Banknotes department at Freeman's.
Prior to joining Freeman's in 2014, Mr. Coombs worked for PCGS Currency in Peoria, Illinois, where he was responsible for the grading and authentication of paper money. This enabled him to travel to dozens of coin and currency shows a year and develop a lifelong passion for numismatics. In addition to heading the Coins, Medals & Banknotes department at Freeman's, Mr. Coombs works closely with Furniture & Decorative Arts department and has directed auctions for philatelics, memorabilia, scientific instruments, and fountain pens. He received a BA in art history from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and a master of letters in art and art world practice from the University of Glasgow.

Antiquities, Islamic & Indian Art

An Egyptian Basalt Portrait Bust of a Woman

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