Relief of a Queen or Goddess

Objects like this have long been regarded as trial pieces used by artists to sketch or carve drafts for larger works, a practice known from as early as the Old Kingdom. It has recently been argued, however, that the artists of Dynasty XXVI made objects similar in appearance whose purpose was that of votives offered at the cult places of the dynasty's kings. Perhaps some such objects served both purposes. The vulture headdress shown here is characteristic of queens, certain goddesses, and holders of the office of God's Wife of Amun, the celibate priestesses attached to the cult of Amun at Karnak.