NEW KINGDOM, DYNASTY XVIII, REIGN OF AMENHOTEP III, 1391-1353 B.C.

Details

A COLOSSAL EGYPTIAN GABRO ROYAL PORTRAIT HEAD
New Kingdom, Dynasty XVIII, Reign of Amenhotep III, 1391-1353 B.C.
Originally depicting a deity, most likely Osiris, with the features of Amenhotep III, wearing the crown of Upper Egypt and a plaited beard, the chin straps incised, the full sensuous mouth with a slight overbite and a central dip in the upper lip, the corners drilled, the filtrum indicated, the ears with a distinctive vertical tragus, the eyes slanted forward and now slightly recessed, with the upper lids and brows modelled and, together with the cosmetic lines, delineated by incised lines, a broad band at the base of the crown exhibiting a different surface polish, likely from where pigment was once applied
22¼ in. (56.5 cm) high

Provenance

Merrin Gallery, New York

Lot Essay

The stylistic features of this royal portrait, including the form of the ears and lips, the cosmetic stripes of the eye with plastic brow, and the treatment of the strap of the false beard at the juncture of the crown's tab, all confirm that this sculpture was originally a portrait of Amenhotep III. However, like so many colossal monuments, this head was usurped by a later king, and through careful re-cutting of the eyes, the image was transformed, presumably during the reign of Ramesses II (1290-1224 B.C.).

For an analysis of the stylistic traits of Amenhotep III portraiture see Strauss-Seeber, "Kriterien zur Erkennung der königliche Rundplastik Amenophis'III" in Berman, ed., The Art of Amenhotep III: Art Historical Analysis. For an enthroned colossal sculpture of Amenhotep III re-cut for Ramesses II see no. 14 in Kozloff and Bryan, Egypt's Dazzling Sun, Amenhotep III and His World.

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