A painted limestone relief depicting a standing woman in a pleated sheer linen blue dress. It is dated to the 18th Dynasty (circa 1550-1295 BCE) or the 19th Dynasty (circa 1295-1186 BCE). The inscription identifies her only as "[The one who] is the object of his affection, the one who is praised by..

A painted limestone relief depicting a standing woman in a pleated sheer linen blue dress. It is dated to the 18th Dynasty (circa 1550-1295 BCE) or the 19th Dynasty (circa 1295-1186 BCE). The inscription identifies her only as "[The one who] is the object of his affection, the one who is praised by..."

The woman wears a luxurious wig which is held in place by a diadem of blossoms. A band ties the wig about mid-way through its length with a knot in the back. This slightly pulls the wig back, exposing the natural hair which appears to be dyed with henna. Above her forehead is an inflated lotus flower. Atop the head is a scented wax cone.

She has an ornate broad collar necklace wrapped around and supported by the neck and shoulders, and a wide bracelet on her wrist. The left arm obscures a knot in the dress, beneath the breast, that subtly highlights her graceful figure.

The woman's left hand clasps a menat necklace, which was meant to foster health, good luck and fortune, and to protect against evil spirits. It was also used as a percussion instrument that was shaken by females participating in religious ceremonies.

This piece (FGA-ARCH-EG-0611) is now in the Fondation Gandur pour l'Art, Geneva, Switzerland.

Photo (edited for size): Grégory Maillot / © Fondation Gandur pour l'Art, Genève