"Reserve head"

myminifactory

A finely crafted white limestone portrait of a woman stands out with her delicate, refined features, set deep within her sockets, and a sharply pointed nose; Both ears are broken off, and both nostrils bear the scars of chipping. Otherwise, it is flawless. This exquisite piece was unearthed from Giza's Tomb G 4540 A in 1913 by the Harvard University–Museum of Fine Arts Expedition; The Egyptian government subsequently assigned it to the MFA on March 1, 1921. Reserve heads, also referred to as "Magical Heads" or "Replacement Heads," are distinctive sculptures crafted from fine limestone that have been discovered in numerous non-royal tombs of Egypt's Fourth Dynasty; Specifically, these have been found during the reigns of pyramid-building pharaohs Khufu and Khafre. While each head shares certain characteristics with others, their striking individuality makes them among the earliest examples of portrait sculpture in existence. Their purpose remains unclear, but it is suggested that they were created to serve as an alternate dwelling for the spirit of the dead owner should anything happen to its body. Zhejiang University captured this artifact through photography and photogrammetry.