Head from a Composite Statue
ca. 1352–1336 B.C.E.
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Caption
Head from a Composite Statue, ca. 1352–1336 B.C.E.. Yellow quartzite, pigment, 7 1/16 x 5 11/16 in. (18 x 14.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the Egypt Exploration Society, 34.6042. (Photo: Brooklyn Museum)
Gallery
Not on view
Gallery
Not on view
Title
Head from a Composite Statue
Date
ca. 1352–1336 B.C.E.
Dynasty
late Dynasty 18
Period
New Kingdom, Amarna Period
Geography
Place excavated: Tell el-Amarna, Egypt
Medium
Yellow quartzite, pigment
Classification
Dimensions
7 1/16 x 5 11/16 in. (18 x 14.5 cm)
Credit Line
Gift of the Egypt Exploration Society
Accession Number
34.6042
Frequent Art Questions
Why is the nose always missing?
A popular question! There are two main reasons: Either 1) it chipped off by accident or 2) was chiseled off on purpose.1) Since the nose sticks out from the face and is a relatively small part of the statue, it might the first thing to hit the ground when the statue falls and easily breaks.2) By cutting off the nose, the statue could no longer breath, thus ritually killing the statue. An ancient Egyptian person might do this if they hated the person depicted in the statue and wanted to harm their afterlife. And...This was also a known practice in the early Christian period when warrior monks were trying to stamp out the old religion. "Killing" the statue is easier and faster than totally destroying it.Thanks for the answers.
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