#relief carving
Egyptian. Hairdressing Scene, ca. 2008-1957 B.C.E. (Middle Kingdom, Late Dynasty XI)
Limestone, pigment (tomb relief)
13.2 x 24.5 cm
These fragments originally belonged to a scene showing royal hairdressers attending Queen Neferu (see accompanying reconstruction). The relief on the right depicts Neferu, identified as “The King’s Wife,” wearing an elaborate beaded collar. Behind her the hairdresser Henut has already pinned one strand of hair in place and twists another one. The relief on the left depicts the hairdresser Inu holding a triple lock of hair that she will attach to Neferu’s coiffure.
