Mr. and Mrs. Getler Collection, New York, 1970's. Art Market New York, October 9th, 2002. David Zahler Collection, Newport Beach California. Thence by descent.
Fine condition, with mild oxidation to the bronze and losses to the calcite inlays.
Although stylized, such inlays were used to give three-dimensional Egyptian work a vital, living appearance. These pieces were almost certainly inlaid into the head of an anthropoid coffin or a mummy mask.
For a comparable pair see the Michael C Carlos Museum, Emory University, 'Pair of Eye Inlays,' object no. 2000.014.
Theodore and Aristea Halkedis, edited by Peter Lacovara and Betsy Teasley Trope with Sue H. D'Auria, The collector's eye: masterpieces of Egyptian art from the Thalassic Collection, Ltd. pp. 120, illus. 70.
