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Material : Limestone
Height :
The two ostraka (fragments) were found in two different places; one near the Pyramid of Unas in Saqqara , the other in the Tomb of Ramesses VI in the Valley of the Kings , Luxor . It is probable that Egyptian painters had the images of the figures to be depicted in a rough outline on ostraka at first . These two pieces are decorated with two sketches of a pharaoh wearing the Khepresh Crown (also known as Blue Crown and War Crown) , a royal headdress decorated with a uraeus and worn by ancient pharaohs in battles and ceremonies . The purpose of the uraeus was to provide protection to the ruler from any evil .
The ostrakon on the left is ornamented with an outline of the pharaoh's face in black with an almost intact depiction of the uraeus serpent and its coils . The other ostrakon has the face of the pharaoh first outlined in yellow then in red and finally painted in black . Marvelously , the realistically-portrayed facial features are carved in minute detail . The lively touches and colors of the lips , eyebrows , chin , and cheek vitalize the image . The beauty of the pharaoh's eyes is highly highlighted with Kohl (eye black) . Interestingly , the lower part of this ostrakon has traces of the phrase "Loved by Osiris . "
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