Fragment of Funerary Cartonnage depicting a Wesekh Collar
Egyptian Funerary Accessory / Polychrome Cartonnage Fragment • Ancient Egyptian Artisan Workshop (unknown)
Style & Movement
Late Period Ancient Egyptian Art
Medium & Technique
Linen or Papyrus layers bound with gesso (plaster), painted with earth pigments (iron oxide red, Egyptian blue, calcium white) in a flat, hand-painted polychrome technique.
Creation Period
Late Period to early Ptolemaic Period, circa 350-300 BCE.
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 20-30 cm in width; crescent-shaped (curvilinear fragment).
Subject Description
A structural fragment representing a 'Wesekh' or broad collar, common in funerary iconography. The design features concentric bands of geometric and floral motifs including stylized lotus petals or droplets (teardrops) and circular beads in alternating red, blue, and white hues.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Fair to Good; preserved polychrome but with significant structural loss along the decorative borders and visible fraying of the support material.
Estimated Market Value
USD 1,500 - USD 3,500
Auction Estimate
USD 1,200 - USD 2,500
Provenance History
Unknown collection history; currently mounted in a modern gilded frame with an identification plaque indicative of 20th-century private collection or gallery display.
Art Historical Significance
Cartonnage fragments represent the democratization of Egyptian funerary rites, where composite materials replaced more expensive stone or metal. This piece serves as a cultural record of transitional burial practices during the 30th Dynasty or early Hellenistic influence.
Notable Features
Retains vibrant 'Egyptian Blue' and 'Red Ochre' pigments; the crescent shape specifically mimics the jewelry worn by the elite and deities, intended to provide magical protection for the deceased.
Condition Issues
Fragile edges with exposed fiber, minor pigment flaking, surface abrasions, and old fractures resulting in the loss of the complete collar shape.
Conservation Recommendations
Maintain in a climate-controlled environment with humidity at 45-50%. Avoid direct UV light. Ensure the mounting is archival and acid-free to prevent further degradation of the organic support.