An Egyptian Quartzite Head of Senenmut, 18th Dynasty, reign of Hatshepsut /Tuthmosis III, 1479-1458 B.C.

wearing a beard and wide ribbed wig falling to the rounded top of the back pillar and leaving the ears uncovered, his finely carved austere face with outlined lips rounded at the corners, and almond-shaped eyes wih long eyebrows and cosmetic lines in relief.

the artist Georges Picard (1847-1946), according to an old label formerly applied to the base
French private collection (Drouot, Paris, Collection de la Comtesse de B., March 15th, 2000, no. 64, illus.)
Sycomore Ancient Art, Geneva, 2002
Royal-Athena Galleries, New York

"Tutankhamun: the Golden King and the Great Pharaohs," Michael C. Carlos Museum, Emory University, Atlanta, November 15th, 2008 - May 17th, 2009

Royal-Athena Galleries, New York, Art of the Ancient World, vol. XIV, January 2003, p. 54, no. 156, illus., and back cover (as late 12th Dynasty)

As shown in the catalogue photos; the ancient damage to the face appears to have been intentional; what survived has survived well, due to the exceedingly hard stone from which the head is carved.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Senenmut began his career as a court official probably during the reign of Tuthmosis II. Under Hatshepsut he rose to become her favorite and held, among many other titles, that of Overseer of the Estates of Amun. He was also the steward and tutor of Tuthmosis II's daughter Nefrura. Inscriptions record his contribution as the chief architect for several major monuments, including Hatshepsut's famous funerary temple at Deir el-Bahari.

On the statuary of Senenmut, see P.F. Dorman, The Monuments of Senenmut: Problems in Historical Methodology, London, 1988. On his tombs see P.F. Dorman, The Tombs of Senenmut: The Architecture and Decoration of Tombs 71 and 363, New York, 1991. Also see W.K. Simpson, "Senenmut," in Lexikon der Ägyptologie, vol. 5, pp. 849-851.