<em>Bust from a Seated Statue</em>, ca. 1353–1336 B.C.E. Granite, 22 1/16 × 11 5/16 × 10 7/8 in. (56 × 28.8 × 27.6 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 69.45. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.69.45_erg456.jpg)

Bust from a Seated Statue, ca. 1353–1336 B.C.E. Granite, 22 1/16 × 11 5/16 × 10 7/8 in. (56 × 28.8 × 27.6 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 69.45. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.69.45_erg456.jpg)

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Download our app and ask your own questions during your visit. Here are some that others have asked.

Who is this?

This statue is referred to as "Head and Bust from a Seated Statue" because we do not know what this man's name was. Without an inscription including the person's name we have to rely on visual cues from the statue itself to give us some idea about the man's identity. What features stand out to you the most?

I'm drawn to his eyes.

The eyes are definitely striking. Eye shape in Ancient Egyptian art was something that changed across different time periods. The eye shape, and in fact, the style of his whole face suggests that this statue was made during the 18th Dynasty, more specifically during the reign of Amunhotep III or later. From an inscription on the shoulder we know this statue was made during the reign of Amunhotep IV, the immediate successor to Amunhotep III.

I noticed that it says there's an inscription on his right arm, but I can't locate it. Can you tell me exactly where it is?

The inscription you mentioned is on the front of his right shoulder. It's just a single cartouche and is actually quite faint. The cartouche contains the name of a king, Amunhotep IV, which actually tells a very interesting story. Amunhotep IV only used that name for the first 5 years of his reign and then changed his name to Akhenaten. You can learn about why in the small gallery to the left of the one you're in now. The presence of this name alone dates this statue to that very specific 5 year period.

Was his nose broken on purpose? Is it to deprive him of his power?

Some statues' noses were certainly chiseled off to "ritually kill" the statue. In this case, however, it looks like the lack of nose is a result of thousands of years of wear.

Do you know the type of material and tools were used to make this?

This statue is made of granite, a popular material for Ancient Egyptian statues because it is very hard and therefore lasts a long time. The dark color also makes details in the carving easier to make out.

Ancient Egyptians used mostly chisels for outlines and rubbed the stone with a sand-like materials to smooth the surface.

Does that explain why it has a sparkle to it?

The sparkle has more to do with the properties of the granite itself, mostly the minerals it contains like mica. Another reason that the Ancient Egyptians valued it as a material to sculpt.

What's this?

This statue shows an official who served under the pharaoh Amunhotep IV. Many people love this piece for its hair. The wig that this figure wears demonstrates a large volume of corkscrew curls. Wigs of this style first appeared during the reign of Amunhotep III and had a very limited run of popularity.

Could you please tell me more about this sculpture?

While the figure cannot be identified, the features represent some key visual aspects of ancient Egyptian statues of that period. The wig he is wearing is characteristic of the 18th Dynasty. His necklace, known as the “Gold of Honor,” identifies him as an official who has been honored by the pharaoh, in this case Amunhotep IV according to the cartouche on his shoulder.

This piece is by the text that explains the reasoning behind broken noses. I was wondering if this nose is broken, or just happens to be flatter than others.

Great observation! This nose definitely shows signs of damage. This one appears to have been worn down with some kind of abrasive rather than chiseled off like you may be more used to seeing.

Thank you for your help!

Bust from a Seated Statue

Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

On View: Egyptian Orientation Gallery, 3rd Floor

Clothing, jewelry, and objects like staffs and scepters provide clues about individuals represented in sculpture and other works of art. Because certain features like costumes changed frequently, they can also reveal when an object was created.

If we know when a type of wig or garment was popular, for example, we can place a statue with that feature within a very limited time span. The elaborate style of wig seen here, with its twin masses of corkscrew curls, first appeared in the Eighteenth Dynasty reign of Amunhotep III (circa 1390–1352 B.C.E.) and remained fashionable for only a few generations. A faint inscription on the statue’s right arm confirms this dating and also tells us that this official served King Amunhotep IV, the son and successor of Amunhotep III. Five years after Amunhotep IV became king, he changed his name to Akhenaten, dating this statue to within a five-year period.

The two necklaces depicted here represent strands of gold disks, or the so-called Gold of Honor, presented to officials or soldiers who had performed an unusual act of valor. Although the name of this man has not been preserved, he was obviously very important in his time.

MEDIUM Granite

GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATIONS

Place made: Egypt
Possible place made: Thebes, Egypt

DATES ca. 1353–1336 B.C.E.

DYNASTY Dynasty 18

PERIOD New Kingdom, Amarna Period

DIMENSIONS 22 1/16 × 11 5/16 × 10 7/8 in. (56 × 28.8 × 27.6 cm) (show scale)

INSCRIPTIONS Erased cartouches on right shoulder and right side of chest. The latter illegible, but the first must have belonged to Amenhotep IV. Inscriptions on rear of seat and two columns on back pillar do not preserve owner's name.

COLLECTIONS Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

ACCESSION NUMBER 69.45

CREDIT LINE Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund

CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Dark grey granite bust of a seated man with striated and echeloned double wig, plastic eyebrows and plastic upper eyelid rims, double necklace, short sleeved over-garment, incised armlets, and on the right wrist a broad incised bracelet. The figure wears a pleated skirt with loop-fringed upped edge from which a double fold protrudes to the right of the navel. The back pillar bears two columns of inscription increasing to six columns on the back of the chair. On the front of the right shoulder there is an erased cartouche containing a name ending in “w’n-r” (Akhenaton or Amenhotep IV). A second erased cartouche on the right side of the chest is illegible. Inscription on the rear of the seat and back pillar. The identity of this owner is as yet not established. Possibly Parennufer, Ramose, Kheruef, Nebamun, Amenemhat, Surer or Huy. Condition: Broken across wrists just below angle between garment and torso. Nose mostly missing, ears damaged; chipped and scratched in numerous places. Upper right and left rear corners of seat missing. Surface discolored; brownish black in spots.

EXHIBITIONS

MUSEUM LOCATION This item is on view in Egyptian Orientation Gallery, 3rd Floor

CAPTION Bust from a Seated Statue, ca. 1353–1336 B.C.E. Granite, 22 1/16 × 11 5/16 × 10 7/8 in. (56 × 28.8 × 27.6 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 69.45. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.69.45_erg456.jpg)

IMAGE overall, CUR.69.45_erg456.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 7/2/2008

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RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY

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