A delicate Pharaoh relief in limestone from early Ptolemaic dynasty era, c. 300 BC. A. 24 cm; L. 18 cm

A delicate Pharaoh relief in limestone from early Ptolemaic dynasty era, c. 300 BC.

A. 24 cm; L. 18 cm

Representation of a pharaoh's head in profile, through a detailed graphic design of the decoration, both the khepresh, the blue crown worn by the monarch, and the necklace with several loops. The khepresh is decorated on the front with the uraeus, symbol of royal power, and on the back with a figure of the falcon god Horus, protector of royalty, who holds the symbol of eternity, shen, with his claws.

Despite the delicacy and accuracy of the detail, it is known that this bas-relief was only a preparatory study for a final work, carried out shortly after the death of Alexander the Great, at the time when Ptolemy Soler, son of the governor of Egypt, took power, starting to rule as king.