Ancient Egyptian Faience 18th Dynasty Face Inlay - 36 mm

Ancient Egyptian

Provenance:

Collection passed on to me by mother (P.M.Shaw) in 2009
Given to her by
J.G.Judd who acquired the piece part of a strand of varied depictions and amulets from Cairo dealer 05-05-1977. - with copy of original invoice available.

International Signed and Tracked.

Egyptian Faience Face Inlay.

It is highly possible that this piece dates specifically to the 18th Dynasty, and more closely to the Amarna Period (reign of Pharaoh Akhenaten, ca. 1353–1336 BCE).
Several key artistic and stylistic features align this inlay directly with 18th Dynasty workshop traditions:

1. The Amarna Style Proportions

The facial architecture strongly reflects the stylistic revolution of the late 18th Dynasty:
• The Lips and Chin: The full, slightly down-turned, fleshy lips and the soft, rounded chin are classic markers of Amarna-era royal portraiture.
• The Nose and Eye: The nose has a distinct, elegant slope, and the extremely elongated, almond-shaped eye—defined by a heavily incised cosmetic line—is a diagnostic feature seen on representations of Akhenaten, Nefertiti, and their daughters.

2. High-Point of Inlay Technology

While composite inlay work existed in later periods, the 18th Dynasty represents the absolute technological and artistic peak of Egyptian faience and glass manufacturing.
Excavations at the capital city of Tell el-Amarna uncovered thousands of open-faced terracotta molds used specifically to press out specialized body parts—like ears, hands, and faces—for massive composite murals. The flawless detail of the molded eye and ear on this piece fits perfectly into this era of mass-producing complex luxury decorations.

3. The Pierced Ear Tradition

The visible perforation near the ear is another huge clue pointing to the mid-to-late 18th Dynasty. Ear piercing was introduced to Egyptian royalty during the New Kingdom, heavily popularized during the reigns of Thutmose IV and Amenhotep III. In Amarna art, royal figures (both male and female) were routinely depicted with prominently pierced ears to accommodate large, colorful ear studs or dangling heavy pendants.

Microscopic images have been added to display pigmentation and integrity of the core faience.


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