Deeply carved rectangular plaque with central recess, with the finely detailed image of a nude female modelled in the half-round with a deeply striated bag wig, arms by her side. Traces of red and black pigment on the body. Exquisite. Plaques such as this first appeared in Lower Egypt and became widespread in the Late Period and Ptolemaic era. They may have developed from earlier female figurines depicted on beds and are usually associated with the female goddesses Isis and Hathor, both thought to be protectors of women and childbirth and associated with fertility. Size: 13.4 cm H - 5 1/4 inches Material: Limestone Culture: Egypt, Ptolemaic Period, c. 664-31 B.C. Condition: Part of a larger relief Display stand included Provenance: From a central London collection, formed 1980-2000. From the private collection of Mr David Barker, London, UK; thence by descent. Ex TimeLine Auctions, lot 409. Literature: Cf. Metropolitan Museum of Art inv. no. 23.6.78, for a similar figurine in a shrine niche. The seller guarantees that this item has been legally acquired & will be legally exported, related documents seen by Catawiki. This item do not need an export licence within the EU. The seller will inform the buyer if it needs a UK export licence outside the EU Worldwide shipping by Registered Mail. Comes with a Certificate of Authenticity N.B. Import duties may be incurred on orders shipped to countries outside the UK. Notice: We are not able to ship to Greece and Cyprus.