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Stone statue of the head of a pharaoh.

This head of a pharaoh, which has a lot of loss in its stone façade, is propped on a stone base. He has a relaxed expression, and his eyes are almond shaped and heavily outlined in a way that represents kohl liner. On his chin is a braided false beard, but most of it is broken off. He also is missing much of his nose and his proper left ear. Part of a crown rests on his head, but it only extends a short way before ending in a flat top; there is a lightly incised band around the base.

Identification and Creation

Object Number
1997.84
Title
Head of Ramses in the Guise of Amun
Classification
Sculpture
Work Type
sculpture
Date
19th Dynasty
Period
New Kingdom, Dynasty 19
Culture
Egyptian
Persistent Link
https://hvrd.art/o/287054

Physical Descriptions

Medium
Stone
Dimensions
H. 15 x W. 12.4 x D. 15.6 cm (5 7/8 x 4 7/8 x 6 1/8 in.)
Inscriptions and Marks
  • inscription: Cartouche on back pillar

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line
Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Gift of Nanette Rodney Kelekian
Accession Year
1997
Object Number
1997.84
Division
Asian and Mediterranean Art
Contact
am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu
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Descriptions

Description
The ruler wears the flat red crown of lower Egypt. The two plumes indicating the crown of Amun are missing and were probably made of separate material. There is a "u" shaped indentation in the top of the head where the plumes would have been attached. The left ear is mostly broken away; the right ear protrudes. The pillar attached to the back of the head is inscribed with a royal cartouche. The extant part of the cartouche bears the sun disk and the top of the hieroglyphs for Ramses II or III. The bottom of the cartouche is broken. The eyes are heavily outlined and almond shaped. A small bit of polychrome is still visible on the upper left side of the support.

The head is broken at the neck. The bottom of the false beard is missing and the nose is chipped.

Publication History

  • [Reproduction Only], Persephone, Vol. 11, No. 1, Spring 2011, p. 77.

Verification Level

This record was created from historic documentation and may not have been reviewed by a curator; it may be inaccurate or incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. For more information please contact the Division of Asian and Mediterranean Art at am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu