The artwork, titled “Inlay, Bead Blank with Face,” is attributed to Ancient Egypt and dates back to approximately 100 BC to 100 AD. It belongs to the Hellenistic period and falls under the genre of symbolic painting.
The artwork itself appears as a small fragment featuring a stylized face. The face is intricately inlaid into a bead blank, with distinct, yet worn, features and has a serene expression. The face is bordered by vibrant colors, predominantly green, red, and blue, although time has caused some fading and wear, resulting in a partial loss of detail. This piece exemplifies the combination of Egyptian artistic traditions with Hellenistic influences, reflecting the cultural blending that characterized the era. The use of symbolic imagery in artworks such as this often held significant meaning, potentially representing deities, important figures, or cultural motifs.
