Finial of A Canopic vessel
Limestone and pigment
Egypt
Middle Kingdom 1930-1760 BC
A Middle Kingdom canopic jar lid. Setting this example apart is the striking possibility that it is a portrait of the individual whose viscera it once protected. The face, with its strong nose and fine brow, bears the hallmarks of a finely executed portrait.
The Egyptian blue pigment, crafted from ground copper and sand, was a symbol of rebirth and immortality in ancient Egypt. Its use here suggests that the individual whose likeness is depicted may have held spiritual significance.
The extensive traces of Egyptian Blue have been analysed by Professor Shortland, the leading expert of the subject. He affirmed its antiquity adding that it tests better than many objects he’s worked on in leading institutions.
Provenance:
Werner Forman (1921–2010) was a Czech photographer who chronicled ancient civilizations and non-European cultures in an extensive career. He authored around eighty books solely illustrated with his photos, focusing on his passion for ancient societies. Forman's early life in Prague led him to photography, and during World War II, he documented atrocities in the Terezin camp for the Resistance. He cleverly evaded capture by joining a group of labourers camp-bound and later survived incarceration in a concentration camp.
Post-war, Forman explored oriental art, contributing to "Nový Orient" and publishing his debut book on Chinese art. His evocative photography, paired with his brother's design, created an international bestseller. His work gained recognition in China, leading to visits and photographic endeavors there and in North Korea and Vietnam.
Forman's legacy continued with Artia, publishing forty volumes showcasing his work, including monographs on significant British Museum collections. Notably, "Egyptian Art" highlighted Cairo's Egyptian Museum collection