Featured Carved Head

Grabbed this last second at a sale. I had been eyeing it but didn’t want to layout close to the asking price. Luckily I didn’t have to. I’m unsure what culture it hails from. The former owner was well heeled with a wide interest. They had a major interest in pre Columbian artifacts but also had old world ancient artifacts. This kind of says old world to me more than new world. The collection origin odds would be more on new world. Kind of an Egyptian look to me but I could be way off. Any ideas? Softball ish size.

I am unsure if the little bit of blue is original or later and incidental. I’d lean towards the latter based on it being in just one protruding spot that is easily rubbed against.
Plz ignore that dust!

 

that flat area on the back is interesting...
could have been chiseled off a larger piece..??

 

Third pic down? That’s on bottom if so. Very well may have been.

Edit: sp

 

I think it is a replica of an Ancient Egyptian head, with a characteristic wig. Something like this one:

https://antiquearena.com/lot/57826?auction_item_id=134

This one is more detailed:

https://www.catawiki.com/en/l/98704...an-head-of-an-official-28-cm-no-reserve-price

 

Ditto.

 

Is it Basalt?

 

I am not positive but I believe so.

 

I guess it’s a good thing I low balled the heck out of the sticker price. I thought it had some pretty convincing patina. Was a shot in the dark at the end of the day though. The fella had a collection with many things I’d have loved to ask him about.

 

Egyptians make some very good and sometimes very convincing replicas, and have done for over a century, so there are many out there.

 

That is for certain!