An Egyptian Upper Coffin Lid, Late Period, 26Th Dynasty, Ca. 664 - 525 BC

Decorated with polychromy over gesso, the slender face tapering to a rounded chin and long beard curving outward at the tip, with a broad nose and full lips, the elongated hieroglyphic eyes featuring alabaster insets, the pupils in black pigment, the inset slightly arching brows and cosmetic lines of copper alloy, adorned with a blue and white striped headcloth, the large ears exposed, and intricate beaded broad collar visible on the neck and chest, a falcon-head terminal on each shoulder.

Condition: Professionally stabilized with cosmetic overpainting, some remaining cracks but otherwise in very good condition overall.

Provenance: Phillip Adams Collection of Ancient Art, Sydney Australia since 1970's. Phillip Andrew Hedley Adams, AO, FAHA, FRSA (b. 12 July 1939) is an Australian humanist, social commentator, broadcaster, public intellectual and farmer. Adams has been appointed both a Member and subsequently an Officer of the Order of Australia; and received numerous awards. In 1997 the International Astronomical Union named a minor planet orbiting the sun between Mars and Jupiter after him. A National Trust poll elected him one of Australia's 100 national living treasures.