Head in the round depicting a pharaoh's head, probably once - Lot 40

Head in the round depicting a pharaoh's head, probably once adorning a sphinx body. The sovereign's head is topped with a nemesis. The latter is decorated with wide alternating stripes (signifying blue and yellow), which narrow at the back to form a plait (no longer present). The royal uraeus (no longer in use) above the mid-band. The chinstrap connecting the crown in relief would have joined the hairpiece. A raised listel marks the eyebrows and the blush on the upper eyelid, which stretches towards the temples. In Jean Roudillon's notes: "Antiquity, Egypt, 12th dynasty Obsidian miniature portrait head of a pharaoh, possibly Amenophis III or Sesostris". Obsidian, chips and visible lack. On a red marble base. Egypt, New Kingdom. H. 2.5 cm Note: for a Senwosret III royal head (but from the Middle Kingdom) in the same material, Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, inv. 138 Provenance : Jean Roudillon Collection