Sculptures of this kind were characterised by their archaistic appearance, the dress, pose and accoutrements being those of Old Kingdom works.
In the case of this head, the wig is identical to those on statues of the 5th and 6th Dynasties. The facial features, however, are more naturalistic and probably more of a true likeness of its owner.
Provenance
Found in 1897 in an excavation at the temple of Mut in Karnak by Miss Margaret Benson and Miss Janet Gourlay; by descent to the vendor.