Piece of a Byzantine figurine

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A fragment of a Byzantine figurine showcases a representation of a face. The face boasts stylized and geometric features typical of this era, including large almond-shaped eyes with sharp-edged eyelids that slope towards the outer corners, a short and wide nose, and lips pressed tightly together. Curly hair frames the face. This head, likely part of a figurine or burial stele, exemplifies Egyptian Christian art from the 4th to 12th centuries. It combines local Pharaoh and Greek-Roman traditions with evident Byzantine influences. One notable characteristic is the lack of full sculpture; instead, representations of humans come from tombstones and architectural elements. The time and place of creation are the 4th-6th century, specifically during the early Byzantine period in Fustat. The artifact is housed at the Archaeological Museum in Kraków, with an inventory number of MAK/AS/1231. For more information, visit muzea.malopolska.pl/en/objects-list/1463. Digitalisation was made possible through the RDW MIC and Virtual Małopolska project.