Painted portrait of a Roman noble

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Portrait of a Roman noble
Geographical origin unknown
Wood, pigment and wax

Donated by Sir James Key Caird, 1913
Museum number 1914-204-36

Under Roman rule, Egyptian funerary traditions changed very little and the dead continued to be mummified. However, funerary art evolved in a new direction incorporating Greco-Roman artistic techniques, hairstyles and dress. This panel portrait was placed over the face of the mummy and took the place of a cartonnage mask.