Usekh (Broad Collar) Fragment
Polychrome cartonnage fragment from a funerary ensemble • Unknown Egyptian artisan or workshop specializing in funerary equipment
Style & Movement
Late Period Egyptian Art
Medium & Technique
Cartonnage (layers of linen or papyrus adhered with plaster/stucco), gesso, and tempera mineral pigments (Egyptian blue, iron oxide red, and calcium carbonate white)
Creation Period
Late Period to Early Ptolemaic Period, circa 350 BCE
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 20-25 cm in width; crescentic/curved format
Subject Description
A section of an Usekh or 'Broad Collar,' a common motif in Egyptian funerary iconography representing divine protection. The pattern consists of concentric registers of lotus petals and floral beads, alternating in red, blue, and white. This piece would have been part of a larger cartonnage mummy covering.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Fair to Good. The pigment remains vibrant, but there is significant loss to the periphery and structural fraying of the underlying linen core.
Estimated Market Value
$1,500 - $3,500 USD
Auction Estimate
$1,200 - $2,500 USD
Provenance History
Visible museum or gallery label reads 'ANCIENT EGYPTIAN CARTONNAGE CIRCA 350BC.' Likely sourced from a private collection or antiquity dealer; missing formal excavation records in visible frame.
Art Historical Significance
Represents the standard of funerary excellence during the 30th Dynasty and the transition to Hellenistic influence. Collars were symbolic of the 'Eye of Horus' and were intended to provide the deceased with everlasting protection in the afterlife.
Notable Features
The use of 'Egyptian Blue' (cuprorivaite) is highly characteristic of the period. The modern gold frame and brass identification plaque indicate it was likely prepared for the 20th-century art market.
Condition Issues
Exposed linen fibers at the top edge indicate detachment from a larger piece. Significant crazing of the gesso layer and minor pigment flaking are present. Some evidence of ancient or modern stabilization.
Conservation Recommendations
Requires UV-filtered glazing and an acid-free mounting system. Humidity must be kept strictly stable (40-50%) to prevent further gesso contraction and pigment loss.