Collection
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Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

Seated Statuette of Pepy I with Horus Falcon

ca. 2338–2298 B.C.E.

1 of 36

Object Label

King Pepy I sits on his throne wearing the tall white crown of Upper Egypt and an enveloping cloak associated with the Jubilee, a festival that demonstrated the king’s continued vigor after the first thirty years of his reign (though it was sometimes celebrated earlier).

Some scholars have suggested that the Egyptians created votive animal mummies to use in this festival.

Caption

Seated Statuette of Pepy I with Horus Falcon, ca. 2338–2298 B.C.E.. Egyptian alabaster (calcite), pigment (Egyptian blue, red), and gypsum, 10 1/2 x 2 3/4 x 6 1/4 in. (26.7 x 6.98 x 15.9 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 39.120. (Photo: Brooklyn Museum)

Gallery

Not on view

Title

Seated Statuette of Pepy I with Horus Falcon

Date

ca. 2338–2298 B.C.E.

Dynasty

Dynasty 6

Period

Old Kingdom

Geography

Possible place collected: Southern Egypt, Egypt

Medium

Egyptian alabaster (calcite), pigment (Egyptian blue, red), and gypsum

Classification

Sculpture

Dimensions

10 1/2 x 2 3/4 x 6 1/4 in. (26.7 x 6.98 x 15.9 cm)

Credit Line

Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund

Accession Number

39.120

Frequent Art Questions

  • What is this made out of

    That is made of Egyptian alabaster which refers to calcite.
    It is a depiction of an Egyptian King, Pepy I. Take note of the falcon behind his crown. The god of kingship, Horus, was often depicted as a falcon. This statue emphasizes the close relationship between the king and god.

  • Why is Pepy I shown seated?

    In this statue, the king is shown sitting on a throne. In art, the throne is one of many ways to indicate the king plus it provides ample surface for inscriptions and decoration. The sides of this throne show intertwined lotus and sedge plants, a common symbol of a united Upper and Lower Egypt known as a sema tawy motif. The back of the throne is covered with a serekh, the most ancient way to indicate an Egyptian king’s name.

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