The Priest, the Prince, and the Pasha : The Life and Afterlife of an Ancient Egyptian Sculpture

Sometime in the early fourth century BC, an unknown Egyptian master carved an exquisite portrait in dark-green stone. The statue that included this head of a priest, likely a citizen of ancient Memphis, may have been damaged when the Persians conquered Egypt in 343 BC, before it was buried in a temple complex. Its adventures were not over: after almost two millennia, the head was excavated by Auguste Mariette, a founding figure in French archaeology. Sent to France as part of a collection assembled for the inimitable Bonaparte prince known as Plon-Plon, it found a home in his faux Pompeian palace. After disappearing again, it resurfaced in the collection of American aesthete Edward Perry Warren, who donated it to the MFA, Boston. Along the way, this compelling, mysterious sculpture has reflected the evolving understanding of Egyptian art. art Sometime In The Early Fourth Century Bc, An Unknown Egyptian Master Carved An Exquisite Portrait In Dark-green Stone. The Statue That Included This Remarkably Lifelike Head Of A Priest, Who Was Likely A Citizen Of Ancient Memphis, May Have Been Damaged When The Persians Conquered Egypt In 343 Bc Before It Was Ritually Buried In A Temple Complex Dedicated To The Worship Of The Sacred Apis Bull. Its Adventures Were Not Over, Though: After Almost Two Millennia, The Head Was Excavated By August Mariette, A Founding Figure In French Egyptology, Under A Permit From The Ottoman Pasha. Returned To France As Part Of A Collection Of Antiquities Assembled For The Inimitable Bonaparte Prince Known As Plon-plon, It Found A Home In His Faux Pompeian Palace. After Disappearing Again, It Resurfaced In The Personal Collection Of Edward Perry Warren, A Turn-of-the-twentieth-century American Aesthete, Who Sold It To The Museum Of Fine Arts, Boston. Along The Way, This Compelling And Mysterious Sculpture, Known Worldwide As The Boston Green Head, Has Reflected The Wests Evolving Understanding Of Egyptian Art From Initial Assertions That It Was Too Refined To Be The Product Of A Lesser Civilization, To Recognition Of The Sophistication Of The Culture That Produced It. "Sometime in the fourth century BC, an unknown Egyptian master carved an exquisite portrait in dark-green stone. The statue that included this remarkably lifelike head of a priest, who was probably a citizen of ancient Memphis, may have been damaged when the Persians conquered Egypt in 343 B.C. before it was ritually buried in a temple complex dedicated to the worship of the sacred Apis bull .... After almost two millennia, the head was excavated by August Mariette, a founding figure in French archaeology, under a permit from the Ottoman Pasha. Sent to France as part of a collection of antiquities assembled for the inimitable Bonaparte prince known as Plon-Plon, it found a home in his faux Pompeain palace. After disappearing again, it resurfaced in the personal collection of Edward Perry Warren, a turn-of-the twentieth-century American aesthete, who sold it to the Museum of Fine Arts."--book jacket. "Sometime in the fourth century BC, an unknown Egyptian master carved an exquisite portrait in dark-green stone. The statue that included this remarkably lifelike head of a priest, who was probably a citizen of ancient Memphis, may have been damaged when the Persians conquered Egypt in 343 B.C. before it was ritually buried in a temple complex dedicated to the worship of the sacred Apis bull .... After almost two millennia, the head was excavated by August Mariette, a founding figure in French archaeology, under a permit from the Ottoman Pasha. Sent to France as part of a collection of antiquities assembled for the inimitable Bonaparte prince known as Plon-Plon, it found a home in his faux Pompeian palace. After disappearing again, it resurfaced in the personal collection of Edward Perry Warren, a turn-of-the twentieth-century American aesthete, who sold it to the Museum of Fine Arts."--Jacket flap