"Reserve head"

myminifactory

This captivating figure represents a rare instance in Egyptian artistry where a partial portrait is depicted. Slightly larger than life-size, it boasts an air of austere beauty and tranquil gaze. Although not a true likeness like that of Ankhhaf (p. 78), it still exhibits distinct characteristics. Its round face, prominent cheekbones, and full, sensual lips led George Reisner to call it a "Negroid princess." He discovered it at the bottom of a tomb shaft in the Western Cemetery at Giza, where looters likely discarded it after plundering the burial chamber. A second head with an elongated face and features was found beside it, and Reisner considered that to be her Egyptian spouse. Unfortunately, the tomb provides no clues about the racial identity or sex of either figure. However, a hint of red paint remaining on this head's ear suggests that the subject was male rather than female, as red is the traditional skin color for males in sculptures. To further complicate matters, the tomb only accommodated a single burial, so it remains unclear which head belonged there. The purpose of this piece also remains obscure. Only just over thirty such heads have been found, mostly at Giza, and mostly dating back to the brief period spanning the reigns of Khufu and Khafre in Dynasty 4. Although all are roughly the same size, each is unique. All have been discovered either in the burial chamber or at the bottom of the shaft leading to it. In contrast, other types of Old Kingdom sculptures were often found in chapels above ground attached to tombs, where they could magically participate in food offerings. Upon excavating one of these heads early in the twentieth century, a German archaeologist hypothesized that its purpose was to replace the head of the deceased should anything happen to it. Since then, these sculptures have been known as "reserve heads." Over time, others have suggested alternative functions for these heads. Several scholars believe they served as models or molds for other sculptures. The fact that many, excluding this example, show signs of deliberate mutilation led another expert to theorize that they served a magical function during burial ceremonies but were ritually "killed" to prevent them from subsequently harming the deceased. Whatever their purpose, they were in vogue for a very brief period, until they were superseded by face and body coverings made of plaster and then cartonnage, a material consisting of layers of linen stiffened with gesso. Provenance: From Giza, tomb G 4440 A. 1913-14: excavated by the Harvard University-Museum of Fine Arts Expedition; July 2, 1914: assigned to the MFA by the government of Egypt. Reserve heads (also known as 'Magical Heads' or 'Replacement Heads') are distinctive sculptures crafted primarily from fine limestone that have been found in a number of non-royal tombs of the Fourth Dynasty of Egypt; particularly from the reigns of pyramid-building pharaohs Khufu to Khafre. While each head shares characteristics with others, their striking individuality makes them some of the earliest examples of portrait sculpture in existence. Their purpose remains unclear, but it is suggested that the head was made to serve as an alternate home for the spirit of the dead owner should anything happen to its body. Photography and photogrammetry by Zhejiang University.