Object name: Fragments of openwork decoration
Accession no.: E.GA.2897.1943
Other numbers and markings: tbd
Dimensions: H 21.3 cm
W 5.4 cm
D 0.1 cm
Brief description:
An open work, low-relief gilded cartonnage overlay depicting an ape-headed god, most probably Hapy (one of the four Sons of Horus). Hapy stands on a square plinth and holds some type of garment/length of folded cloth in his hands.
The piece of openwork is made from approximately four layers of densely tabby woven linen impregnated with adhesive. The fibres are ‘s’ plied. The linen was cut to shape prior to the application of the preparation layer or gilding. Black sketch lines are visible on the back of the piece.
After cutting, a white calcite preparation layer was applied to the front of the linen; in areas this has also covered the edges of the linen. The preparation layer has been applied thicker in areas to build up the low relief decoration. The gold leaf was applied directly to the surface of the preparation layer, folding around the edges of the piece. It is unclear if an adhesive was used or if there is a binder in the preparation layer.
The back of the linen is coated with a partial layer of black resin. The textile impressions in this layer suggest that it was used to adhere the openwork piece to a cartonnage or textile base. There are small patches of this black resin on the front of the gilding.
Date: Late Period
700-30 BC
Find spot: tbd
Acquisition: Given by R.G. Gayer-Anderson, 1943
Construction, decoration and materials:
Other information
Fragment of openwork decoration (front)
Fragment of openwork decoration (reverse)
