Head of a Nobleman, ca. 2650–2600 B.C.E. Granite, 8 1/2 x 9 x 6 in. (21.6 x 22.9 x 15.2 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 67.5.1. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 67.5.1_SL1.jpg)
Head of a Nobleman, ca. 2650–2600 B.C.E. Granite, 8 1/2 x 9 x 6 in. (21.6 x 22.9 x 15.2 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 67.5.1. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.67.5.1_erg456.jpg)
Head of a Nobleman, ca. 2650–2600 B.C.E. Granite, 8 1/2 x 9 x 6 in. (21.6 x 22.9 x 15.2 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 67.5.1. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.67.5.1_tlf.jpg)
Head of a Nobleman
Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art
On View: Old Kingdom to 18th Dynasty, Egyptian Galleries, 3rd Floor
These two heads from ka-statues (the tomb statue that received food and drink offerings) demonstrate the different properties of granite and limestone. Granite is harder than limestone, so it takes a higher polish and allows the artist to carve finer detail. Though both statues gave the deceased’s ka a place to receive offerings, the granite would have been the more desirable statue.
MEDIUM
Granite
DATES
ca. 2650–2600 B.C.E.
DYNASTY
late Dynasty 3 to early Dynasty 4
PERIOD
Old Kingdom
DIMENSIONS
8 1/2 x 9 x 6 in. (21.6 x 22.9 x 15.2 cm)
mount ((m1 dimensions as installed)): 8 1/2 × 9 × 6 in., 15 lb. (21.6 × 22.9 × 15.2 cm) (show scale)
COLLECTIONS
Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art
ACCESSION NUMBER
67.5.1
CREDIT LINE
Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund
PROVENANCE
Reportedly from Saqqara, Egypt; prior to 1965, provenance not yet documented; by April 30, 1965, acquired in Cairo, Egypt by Johann Möger of Soestdijk, the Netherlands; January 11, 1967, purchased from Johann Möger by the Brooklyn Museum.
Provenance FAQ
CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION
Red granite head and part of right shoulder of male statue with short echeloned wig; practically neckless. Nose damaged; full face; sharp eyebrows; upper eyelid rim plastic. No trace of back pillar although upper portion of back is preserved below wig.
Condition: Good, except that nose is partly lost, and mouth is slightly chipped. Top of head is worn.
MUSEUM LOCATION
This item is on view in Old Kingdom to 18th Dynasty, Egyptian Galleries, 3rd Floor
CAPTION
Head of a Nobleman, ca. 2650–2600 B.C.E. Granite, 8 1/2 x 9 x 6 in. (21.6 x 22.9 x 15.2 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 67.5.1. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 67.5.1_SL1.jpg)
IMAGE
overall, 67.5.1_SL1.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
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RIGHTS STATEMENT
Creative Commons-BY
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