head from a sarcophagus, unknown maker from Egypt

Exhibition Label: "Corpus," Apr-2012, Kris Ercums “O living corpses who rest in the sarcophagus…” This line, one of many to be recited from a Ptolemaic ritual text, speaks to the ancient Egyptian belief in life after death. Recitations, libations, a host of other rituals as well as funerary equipment like sarcophagi, which often encased mummified corpses, served to aid the preservation of the body and attain eternal life. This larger-than-life head indicates the massive size of the original sarcophagus. Due to its large scale, this sarcophagus was probably crafted during the person’s lifetime. However, with its minimal detail and idealized features, this head does not depict a likeness of the deceased. Rather, its design followed set formulae dictated by royal conventions. Likely the privilege of such a sculpture was granted by royalty or high office; just as access to its limestone material was an official award since the many limestone quarries across Egypt formed part of the state operations under kingly monopoly.