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Fragment of a Temple Relief

Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

On View: 19th Dynasty to Roman Period, Martha A. and Robert S. Rubin Gallery, 3rd Floor

The identity of the king depicted here is not known. His features resemble those of Nectanebo II, last king of Dynasty XXX (circa 380–342 B.C.), but he may be one of the Ptolemaic rulers. The empty cartouches do not necessarily imply that the scene was unfinished. The king's two names (the prenomen, or throne name, and the nomen, or family name) may have been painted and later lost. Alternatively, the cartouches may have been left blank to denote that the office of kingship itself mattered more than the particular king's identity.

MEDIUM Limestone
  • Place Made: Egypt
  • DATES ca. 380 B.C.E.–30 B.C.E.
    DYNASTY Dynasty 30 (probably)
    PERIOD Late Period to Ptolemaic Period
    DIMENSIONS 7 7/8 x 8 1/8 in. (20 x 20.6 cm)  (show scale)
    ACCESSION NUMBER 55.4
    CREDIT LINE Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund
    CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Fragment of limestone relief. In high relief, head of king wearing white crown, facing right. One incompletely preserved had outstretched towards incomplete object (? offerings). At upper edge two black cartouches. Presumably temple relief. Condition: Incomplete. Large chips at upper edge, on crown and on hand. No trace of paint.
    CAPTION Fragment of a Temple Relief, ca. 380 B.C.E.–30 B.C.E. Limestone, 7 7/8 x 8 1/8 in. (20 x 20.6 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 55.4. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.55.4_wwg8.jpg)
    IMAGE installation, West Wing gallery 8 installation, CUR.55.4_wwg8.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2006
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    RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY
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