Ancient Egypt Ptolomaic or Coptic Light limestone or calcareous stone Ancient Limestone / Stone Head of a Female Deity - 10 cm
15
days
09
hours
10
minutes
55
seconds
Current bid
€ 1
Reserve price not met
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Selected by Peter Reynaers
Has nearly 30 years’ experience and moderated multiple online art research groups.
Estimate € 430 - € 700
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An ancient Egyptian female-deity head, carved from light limestone and attributed to the Ptolemaic or Coptic period, measures 10 × 7 × 4 cm.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Expressive ancient female head carved from light-coloured stone, preserved as a fragment from a larger sculptural or relief composition. The face is presented frontally, with large almond-shaped eyes, a prominent straight nose and a small, closed mouth.
Particularly striking is the voluminous and highly structured hairstyle or headdress. Numerous parallel, raised strands or ribs frame the face in a fan-like arrangement, meeting above the forehead in a distinctive V-shaped formation. Behind the head is a large, approximately circular or disc-shaped element, giving the composition a particularly imposing appearance.
The combination of Egyptian-style frontality with the more sculptural treatment of the facial features suggests an attribution to Hellenistic or Roman Egypt. The figure may represent a female deity or priestess, possibly connected with the wider iconographic sphere of Isis. However, in the absence of further identifying attributes or a documented archaeological context, a definitive identification cannot be made.
The reverse is largely flat and only roughly worked, suggesting that the head may originally have formed part of a relief, architectural decoration, or larger sculptural composition rather than being conceived as an entirely free-standing sculpture.
The stone surface displays considerable age-related weathering, with small pits, mineral deposits and areas of encrustation. Despite this, the facial features and especially the unusual arrangement of the hair or headdress remain clearly visible.
Fragmentary. Age-related surface weathering and abrasion, minor chips, losses and mineral deposits. The lower neck or attachment area is broken away. Please refer to the photographs for the exact condition.
Provenance:
Formerly in the Madeleine & Erich Dammann Collection, Germany. Acquired during the owners' extensive travels between 1950 and 1970. The collection has been documented in Germany since 1970 and remained in continuous family ownership thereafter. As was customary for private purchases made in local markets during the 1950s–1970s, purchase receipts or invoices were generally neither issued nor requested. The provenance is documented through continuous family ownership, historical photographs, and supporting biographical records.
Expressive ancient female head carved from light-coloured stone, preserved as a fragment from a larger sculptural or relief composition. The face is presented frontally, with large almond-shaped eyes, a prominent straight nose and a small, closed mouth.
Particularly striking is the voluminous and highly structured hairstyle or headdress. Numerous parallel, raised strands or ribs frame the face in a fan-like arrangement, meeting above the forehead in a distinctive V-shaped formation. Behind the head is a large, approximately circular or disc-shaped element, giving the composition a particularly imposing appearance.
The combination of Egyptian-style frontality with the more sculptural treatment of the facial features suggests an attribution to Hellenistic or Roman Egypt. The figure may represent a female deity or priestess, possibly connected with the wider iconographic sphere of Isis. However, in the absence of further identifying attributes or a documented archaeological context, a definitive identification cannot be made.
The reverse is largely flat and only roughly worked, suggesting that the head may originally have formed part of a relief, architectural decoration, or larger sculptural composition rather than being conceived as an entirely free-standing sculpture.
The stone surface displays considerable age-related weathering, with small pits, mineral deposits and areas of encrustation. Despite this, the facial features and especially the unusual arrangement of the hair or headdress remain clearly visible.
Fragmentary. Age-related surface weathering and abrasion, minor chips, losses and mineral deposits. The lower neck or attachment area is broken away. Please refer to the photographs for the exact condition.
Provenance:
Formerly in the Madeleine & Erich Dammann Collection, Germany. Acquired during the owners' extensive travels between 1950 and 1970. The collection has been documented in Germany since 1970 and remained in continuous family ownership thereafter. As was customary for private purchases made in local markets during the 1950s–1970s, purchase receipts or invoices were generally neither issued nor requested. The provenance is documented through continuous family ownership, historical photographs, and supporting biographical records.
Details
Culture
Ancient Egypt Ptolomaic or Coptic
Century/timeframe
irca 2nd century BC – 2nd century AD
Name of object
Ancient Limestone / Stone Head of a Female Deity
Acquired from
Private collection
Year acquired
2025
Material
Light limestone or calcareous stone
Country acquired from
Germany
Condition
Fair
Previous owner acquired from
Antique market
Height
10 cm
Previous owner - year acquired
1960
Width
7 cm
Previous owner - country acquired from
Unknown
Depth
4 cm
I verify that I have obtained this object legally and that I am allowed to sell it
Yes
Authenticity
Original/official
Sold by
Disclaimer
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
