Detail of an Unfinished Limestone Statue of an Elite Woman
This unfinished limestone statue is inscribed for Hel, an elite woman from Memphis. She wears a tripartite wig with double tresses on each side, ending in fine braids.

The wig is crowned with a graceful lotus flower and encircled by an ornamental covering—likely an elaborate floral wreath—suggested by a plain reserved zone.

Although only scant traces remain, the surviving pigments indicate that the statue was, or was intended to be, fully painted.

The sculpture dates to the early Ramesside period, most probably during the reign of King Ramesses II (c. 1279–1213 BCE) of the 19th Dynasty.

This piece (C. 7352) is housed in the Museo Egizio (Egyptian Museum), Turin, Italy.