Lady Khentet-ka and Her Son. Giza; Fourth Dynasty, probably reign of Khafre (ca. 2520-2494 B.C.E.). Limestone with remains of paint; H. 20 7/8 in. (53 cm). Kunsthistorisches Museum, Ägyptisch–Orientalische Sammlung, Vienna (ÄS 7507).


This statue of Khent, also called Khentet-ka, was discovered in the tomb of her husband, Nesut-nefer. Although they shared an offering chapel, their statues were placed in separate serdabs. Until recently, the tomb and statues were dated to the Fifth Dynasty, but the parted natural hairline seen below Khent's wig is now believed to indicate an earlier date. Rudju's child status is signaled by his nakedness, the finger he holds to his mouth, and the braided sidelock of hair, known as the "sidelock of youth."