Wigs

Egyptian wigs and the sidelock of youth, Roman hairpieces, and the wig as an object of status rather than concealment.

Part of Beauty Standards

22 moments in this segment.

1. -2500 - Man s Head with Curled Wig. During the Old Kingdom, the tombs of courtiers and officials were usually placed near the pyramid complex of their monarch. These tombs, called mastabas, typically contained one or more statues representing the deceased official, members of his family, and perhaps his servants. Held by Walters Art Museum.
2. -2500 - Head of a Man. This excellently worked head once belonged to a statue of a dignitary, but is now broken off at the neck. The head displays attention to detail both in the treatment of the facial features and in the careful indication of the tight curls forming the owner's wig. Held by Walters Art Museum.
3. -1950 - Bust of a Queen Wearing Royal Headdress. This was once part of a statue showing a seated queen wearing the vulture headdress associated with queens as well as goddesses such as Isis and Hathor. The 30th Dynasty saw the revival of Middle Kingdom motifs, such as the wig with large curls and the large ears. Held by Walters Art Museum.
4. -1950 - Standing Woman. While she wears a fashionable wig, this woman's own close-cropped hair can be seen at the forehead as well as on the sides of her neck. Her graceful proportions are set off by her elongated arms and emphasized hands and feet that are characteristic of Middle Kingdom sculptures. Held by Walters Art Museum.
5. -1950 - Intef Seated on the Ground. This statue shows its owner, Intef, seated cross-legged on the ground. He rests upon a small platform, wearing a shendyt which covers his entire lower body including the feet.
6. -1721 - Greywacke statue of a woman, Dynasty 13 (1794 1648 BCE), Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge An idealized
7. -1550 - Sesostris Standing. Sesostris wears a short tripartite shendyt and a curled wig. He has lost his traditional attributes-the staff in the left hand and the scepter in his right. Held by Walters Art Museum.
8. -1380 - Egypt, stype of wig, Mortuary Chapel of Ramose, 1380 BC. Egypt, stype of wig worn by daughters of Ramose, Mortuary Chapel of Ramose, Thebes. Relief Held by the Wellcome Collection.
9. -1371 - Figure of a Woman. This fragment is from a group that depicted the woman with another person, probably her husband. It was likely intended to be placed in their tomb. Held by Walters Art Museum.
10. -1350 - Scribe Statue of Min-nakht. Min-nakht is reading the papyrus on his lap. One of the first New Kingdom sculptures of this type, Min-nakht's statue was inspired by early Middle Kingdom style, including his large, prominent ears and his wig. Held by Walters Art Museum.
11. -1350 - Head of a Man. This fully carved head of a man has a long wig. The left side of the head is broken off, and it is broken at the neck. Held by Walters Art Museum.
12. -1350 - Wall Painting: Woman Holding a Sistrum. The woman in this fragmentary painting from a tomb wall has a wig of long, full hair, held in place by a flowered headband and topped with an ointment cone, a perfumed substance placed on wigs that gave off a fragrant aroma as it melted. A lotus blossom adorns the front of the headband. Held by Walters Art Museum.
13. -1250 - Statue of a Standard Bearer: Hor-nakht. Shown in the elaborate wig and gown of a New Kingdom courtier, Hor-nakht is depicted as a participant in a temple procession, carrying the standard of a ram-headed deity, perhaps Amen-re, in his left hand. The presence of an ankh, or life sign, in his right hand is unusual for a statue that does not represent. Held by Walters Art Museum.
14. -200 - Mummy Mask of a Woman. Mummy masks of the Hellenistic and Roman periods often had gilded faces that reflected the association of the deceased with the gods. This mask has been molded over a core, with layers of mud and linen. Held by Walters Art Museum.
15. -200 - Squatting Representation of Mut. An amulet made of pale sheet gold representing a cloaked figure seated with knees drawn up. The figure wears the double crown (of Upper and Lower Egypt) over a long wig. Held by Walters Art Museum.
16. 1950 - Titi Seated on the Ground. This sculpture is carved in the round. It has an inscription on the front. Held by Walters Art Museum.
17. 1980 - Element of Wig Decoration
18. 1980 - Rosette for Wig Decoration
19. 1980 - Sidelocks and Elements of Wig Decoration
20. 1990 - Mummy Mask of a High Official. The use of a mummy mask is one of the most characteristic features of ancient Egyptian burial customs. Such cartonnage masks covered the head and the upper part of the chest of a mummy. Held by Walters Art Museum.
21. 2005-08-19 - Karnak Khonsou 080519. God Khonsu, wearing a Menat-with-counterpoise, and having his hair in a Sidelock. He is holding the combined staff of: Djed, Ankh, and Wsr-(Usr), and a Crook and Flail.
22. 2014 - Egypt, wigs with cones of unguent, Tomb of Userhat