Creative Commons License
Head of a Woman
This tapestry fragment, depicting the haloed head of a woman, was likely part of a domestic curtain or wall hanging.Curtains and wall hangings were used in private homes, as well as in public and religious buildings, to prevent drafts, divide spaces, and provide privacy. The tapestry weave of this piece is ideal for such textiles, as it produces a design that can be viewed from either side.
The woman, wearing earrings and a necklace with pendant, may be a personification. Different colors are used to achieve modeling of the cheeks, chin, and nose, and a subtle alteration of the weave distinguishes the lower edge of the face from the neck.
Provenance
Provenance (from the French provenir, 'to come from/forth') is the chronology of the ownership, custody, or location of a historical object. Learn more about provenance at the Walters.
Walters Art Museum, 1958, by purchase.
Geographies
Egypt (Place of Origin)
Measurements
H: 6 11/16 x W: 6 11/16 in. (17 x 17 cm)
Credit Line
Museum purchase, 1958
Location in Museum
Accession Number
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
83.689