Head from an Osiride Statue of Hatshepsut

Period:
New Kingdom
Dynasty:
Dynasty 18
Reign:
Joint reign of Hatshepsut and Thutmose III
Date:
ca. 1473–1458 B.C.
Geography:
Country of Origin Egypt, Upper Egypt; Thebes, Deir el-Bahri, Jaw from "Hatshepsut Hole"/rest from Senenmut Quarry, MMA 1922–1923/1926–1928
Medium:
Limestone, paint
Dimensions:
h. 126.5 cm (49 13/16 in); w. 34.9 cm (13 3/4 in); d. 59.4 cm (23 in)
Credit Line:
Rogers Fund, 1931
Accession Number:
31.3.164
  • Description

    This head originally belonged to one of the Osiride statues that were carved in high relief in niches along the rear wall of the upper terrace of Hatshepsut's temple at Deir el Bahri. Hatshepsut wears the Double Crown of Upper and Lower Egypt suggesting that the head was from a figure in one of the niches on the northern side of the terrace. Another head, 31.3.163, wears the White Crown of Upper Egypt and came from a niche on the southern side.
    These Osiride figures were architectural accents rather than freestanding statues and were carved from the same limestone blocks that were used to construct the temple itself. Four Osiride statues decorated the corners of the temple's shrine of Amun (31.3.153–.155), and a series of much larger statues were attached to the pillars at the front of the upper terrace (31.3.156, 31.3.158, 31.3.159).

  • Provenance

    Museum excavations, 1922-1923, 1926-1928. Acquired by the Museum in the division of finds, 1931.

  • See also
    What
    Where
    When
    In the Museum
    Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History
    MetPublications
100004216

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